opportune

adjective

op·por·tune | \ˌä-pər-ˈtün,

-ˈtyün\

Definition of opportune

1 : suitable or convenient for a particular occurrence an opportune moment the legal authorities helped by the opportune use of their powers of arrest— T. E. Vedney

2 : occurring at an appropriate time an opportune offer of assistance The book's publication is opportune.

Other Words from opportune Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about opportune

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Examples of opportune in a Sentence

There isn't a more opportune time to invest in the stock market. an opportune rain shower gave them an excuse to leave the outdoor concert early

Recent Examples on the Web

The flashbacks play out in a mock-heroic style with tinges of magic realism — a leopard emerging from the forest at an opportune moment, a gang boss punishing his enemies in a particularly crushing manner. — Mike Hale, New York Times, "Review: The Criminal Life in Mumbai in ‘Sacred Games’," 6 July 2018 Someone had already taken screen shots of his offensive language and waited for the most opportune time to go public with the incriminating language. — Phillip Morris, cleveland.com, "There is no such thing as a social media whisper: Phillip Morris," 29 Apr. 2018 Things have all come together in the football career of Temple defensive tackle Jullian Taylor and at the most opportune time, right before the NFL draft. — Marc Narducci, Philly.com, "Temple's Jullian Taylor on NFL teams' radar," 24 Apr. 2018 Torrey Pines senior Geffen Cooper, a center back by trade, scored his only goal of the season at a most opportune time. — Glae Thien, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Falcons focused on victory in regional soccer finale," 10 Mar. 2018 The World Cup’s psychic lift has arrived at an opportune time. — Sean Gregory, Time, "32 Teams Entered, 2 Remain. Your Ultimate Guide to the World Cup Final," 13 July 2018 This is an opportune time to pause and reflect, in the wake of the fatal Maryland newsroom shooting and a few days before celebrating this great nation’s freedom on July 4. — Jason Williams, Cincinnati.com, "PX column: I'm not your enemy. Let's hope Trump tones down attacks on media after shooting," 29 June 2018 While living Aboriginal Tasmanians were conveniently forgotten, the thylacine underwent an opposite, if equally opportune, transformation. — Brooke Jarvis, The New Yorker, "The Obsessive Search for the Tasmanian Tiger," 16 Jan. 2012 At the most opportune time, Lincoln-Way East received a nice surprise with a late addition to the lineup. — Bob Narang, Daily Southtown, "Happy days: Loyola recruit Mike Herlihy returns from injury as Lincoln-Way East rolls into state semifinals," 2 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'opportune.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for opportune

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French opportun, borrowed from Latin opportūnus "favoring one's needs, serviceable, convenient," probably originally, "blowing in the direction of a harbor (of a wind)," from ob- ob- + portu-, stem of portus "harbor, port entry 1" + -nus, adjective suffix (vowel length perhaps after the ablative portū)