What does betimes mean?
Betimes is an adverb meaning early, or alternatively before long — that is, soon or in due course. Its most familiar use describes rising or acting at an early hour, as in 'the villagers were up betimes,' while a second sense refers to something happening promptly or not long afterward. The word derives from Middle English, combining the prefix 'be-' with 'times,' and has been part of English since roughly the fourteenth century. Today it survives chiefly as an archaism: readers encounter it in Shakespeare, the King James Bible, and classic novels such as those of Dickens and Hardy, where it lends a flavor of old-world diligence. Writers sometimes revive it for deliberate effect, evoking rustic routines or bygone eras. Though absent from ordinary conversation, betimes remains fully understood and offers an economical, elegant way of saying 'early in the day' or 'before long' with literary polish.
adverbArchaic or literary term meaning early, or before long; soon.
- Early in the morning; at an early hour.
- Before long; soon; in good time.
"The farmers rose betimes to bring in the harvest before the storm arrived."
"She was up betimes to catch the first train to Edinburgh."
"The dispute was settled, and betimes the two families were on friendly terms again."
Shakespeare's characters were 'up betimes' long before alarm clocks existed — this 500-year-old adverb simply meant you beat the sunrise.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of betimes
Betimes comes from Middle English, formed from the prefix 'be-' (in the sense of 'by' or 'at') combined with the plural noun 'times.' It appeared in English writing by around the fourteenth century, with both its senses — 'early' and 'soon' — established from the outset. The word belongs to the same Germanic-rooted family as the noun 'time' itself, making words like 'timely' and 'timeless' distant relatives rather than borrowings.
Related word forms
How betimes is actually used
Betimes is archaic and literary in modern usage; it appears mainly in historical fiction, older literature, and deliberately ornate prose. It carries a quaint, formal connotation and is rarely heard in everyday speech.
Easily confused with betimes
'Sometimes' means occasionally, while 'betimes' means either early or soon.