'well-timed' originates from the combination of 'well' and 'timed', where 'well' meant 'in a good or satisfactory way' and 'timed' referred to 'the occurrence of an event'.

'well-timed' evolved from the Old English 'wel' and 'tima', eventually becoming the modern English word 'well-timed'.

Initially, it meant 'occurring at a good time', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.