punctually

Everyday

1. At exactly the right time, not late: «The train left punctually at nine.» tree →
2. Regularly on time, every time: «She pays her bills punctually.» tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and school it describes good habits: arriving and handing in work on time. In maths word problems «punctually» tells you there is no delay, so the time is exact. Phrases: «arrive punctually», «start punctually», «punctually at».

Examples

• Lessons start punctually at nine o'clock. tree →
• The bus arrived punctually, so we were not late. tree →
• Please hand in your homework punctually. tree →
• Grandad always arrives punctually for Sunday lunch. tree →
• The concert began punctually at seven. tree →
• Swiss trains are famous for running punctually. tree →
• Punctually at eight o'clock my performance closed, for children must go early to bed, and a manager must also consult the convenience of the public. tree →

Note

Adjective: punctual; noun: punctuality. Spelling: punc-tu-al-ly (double l). Maths: «arrived punctually at 3:15» means exactly 3:15, no minutes early or late. Not related to punctuation except through Latin «punctum» (a point).