opportune

adjective op·por·tune \ ˌä-pər-ˈtün , -ˈtyün \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

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.

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opportunely

adverb

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opportuneness

play \ˌä-pər-ˈt(y)ün-nəs\ noun

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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 of opportune from the Web

This is an opportune time for the book to be published — with headlines about harassment from Hollywood to high tech — but Yeung and her colleagues at the Center for Investigative Reporting have delved into this issue for the past decade.

— elaine elinson, San Francisco Chronicle, "‘In a Day’s Work,’ by Bernice Yeung," 3 May 2018
Crammed into an economy seat flying over the Pacific en route to Tokyo is not the most opportune time to get serious about one’s trip to Japan.

— mary louise schumacher, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "With Kusama Museum and art-filled islands, Japan is a paradise for art nerds," 27 Apr. 2018
During an opportune moment as the shooter paused, Shaw took action.

— paula rogo, Essence.com, "James Shaw Jr. Raises More Than $165,000 For Waffle House Shooting Victims," 26 Apr. 2018
Now also happens to be an opportune time to attack earth, what with the Avengers team broken up.

— eliana dockterman, Time, "Everything to Know About Marvel’s Infinity Stones Before You See Avengers: Infinity War," 24 Apr. 2018
Donato joined the Bruins at an opportune time, when the team was without a couple of its top forwards.

— gary santaniello, New York Times, "First, Final Exams. Then, Hopefully, the Stanley Cup Finals.," 20 Apr. 2018
This year seemed like an opportune moment to get a closer look at the relationship between the NRA’s rhetoric and the $8 billion business of selling guns.

— elliott woods, The New Republic, "Essential reporting, interpretation, and opinion on politics and culture. Don't miss our latest.," 16 Apr. 2018
With more than four months until the start of football season rekindles viewer interest, Comcast may see this as an opportune time to take stock of the channel’s worth, perhaps attempting to negotiate a lower carriage fee.

— phil rosenthal, chicagotribune.com, "Comcast Xfinity dumping Big Ten Network in much of U.S. — but not the Chicago area," 13 Apr. 2018
The seeds were dormant waiting for the opportune time to spring into life in that bare patch.

— OregonLive.com, "How to control bindweed, transplant camellia: Ask an expert," 6 Apr. 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.

Origin and Etymology of 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, ¹port" + -nus, adjective suffix (vowel length perhaps after the ablative portū)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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