-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 VYBmbC96TLW/sLQGFjIjYA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000350852-10-000003.txt : 20100128
<SEC-HEADER>0000350852-10-000003.hdr.sgml : 20100128
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100128103819
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000350852-10-000003
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100126
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100128
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100128

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HALE JEAN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001194480

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31220
		FILM NUMBER:		10552335

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 2947
		CITY:			PIKEVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41502-2947

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COMMUNITY TRUST BANCORP INC /KY/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000350852
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				610979818
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			KY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		346 NORTH MAYO TRAIL
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX 2947
		CITY:			PIKEVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41502-2947
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(606)433-4643

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		346 NORTH MAYO TRAIL
		STREET 2:		P.O. BOX 2947
		CITY:			PIKEVILLE
		STATE:			KY
		ZIP:			41502-2947

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	COMMUNITY TRUST BANCORP INC/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19971124
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-01-26</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000350852</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>COMMUNITY TRUST BANCORP INC /KY/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CTBI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001194480</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HALE JEAN R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>PO BOX 2947</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PIKEVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>KY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>41502-2947</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-01-26</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>9642</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>25.09</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>98626</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>58545</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>75149</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">401(k) has 45,408 shares and ESOP has 13,137 shares.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock Option Shares available for exercise.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jean R. Hale By: Marilyn T. Justice, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-01-28</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----