opportune

adjective

op·​por·​tune ˌä-pər-ˈtün 

-ˈtyün

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.

opportunely adverb

opportuneness

ˌä-pər-ˈt(y)ün-nəs 

noun

Did you know?

If you’ve never had the opportunity to learn the history behind opportune, now’s your chance. Both opportune and opportunity come from Latin opportūnus, which can mean “favoring one’s needs,” “serviceable,” or “convenient.” Opportūnus itself, constructed from the prefix ob-, meaning “to,” portu- (stem of the noun portus, meaning “port” or “harbor”), and the adjective suffix -nus, suggests the value of any port available when a storm is brewing or raging. Portus has dropped anchor in other English words as well, including portal, passport, and of course port. Its footprint is also scattered across our maps in coastal place names, from Newport to Puerto Rico to Porto Alegre.

Synonyms

• seasonable
• timely
• well-timed

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 side’s creator-in-chief continued to probe, hovering around the Real Betis defense waiting for the opportune moment to strike. —Thomas Schlachter, CNN Money, 28 May 2025

The most opportune thing to do was to show off her favorite sneakers, the Puma Speedcat, look in black and white. —Luz García, Glamour, 26 May 2025

Stitch comes into her life at the most opportune time. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 May 2025

Finding ways to draw fouls has long been a forte of the Brazilian, who has followed the tradition set by Alan Shearer of being a Newcastle captain who is brilliant at winning free kicks at opportune moments. —Chris Waugh, New York Times, 9 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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)

Note: The name of a god of harbors, Portūnus, appears to be a secondary formation by analogy with Neptūnus "Neptune."

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for opportune

• afternoon
• forenoon
• honeymoon
• laocoon
• pantaloon
• picayune
• tablespoon
• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon

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Kids Definition

opportune

adjective

op·​por·​tune ˌäp-ər-ˈt(y)ün 

: suitable sense 1, timely

an opportune moment to act

opportunely adverb

Etymology

Middle English opportune "opportune, suitable, fit," from early French opportun (same meaning), from Latin opportunus "fit, suitable, convenient," from ob- "toward" and portus "harbor"

Word Origin

The Latin adjective opportunus was used to mean "fit, suitable, or convenient." It was formed from the prefix ob-, meaning "toward," and portus, meaning "harbor." The original meaning was probably "blowing in the direction of a harbor (of a wind)," and hence "favoring one's needs, convenient." The French took the word as opportun with the same basic meaning, and the word came into English as opportune in the 15th century. Nowadays it is often applied to a suitable or favorable time for something, or to something that occurs or is done at just the right time.