importune

[ im-pawr-toon, -tyoon, im-pawr-chuhn ]
See synonyms for importune on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.
  1. to press or beset with solicitations; demand with urgency or persistence.

  2. to make improper advances toward (a person).

  1. to beg for (something) urgently or persistently.

  2. Obsolete. to annoy.

  3. Obsolete. to press; impel.

verb (used without object),im·por·tuned, im·por·tun·ing.
  1. to make urgent or persistent solicitations.

  2. to make improper advances toward another person.

adjective

Origin of importune

1
1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) <Latin importūnus unsuitable, troublesome, relentless; see im-2, opportune

Other words for importune

Other words from importune

  • im·por·tune·ly, adverb
  • im·por·tun·er, noun
  • un·im·por·tuned, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for importune

importune

/ (ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn) /


verb(tr)
  1. to harass with persistent requests; demand of (someone) insistently

  2. to beg for persistently; request with insistence

  1. obsolete

    • to anger or annoy

    • to force; impel

Origin of importune

1
C16: from Latin importūnus tiresome, from im- in- 1 + -portūnus as in opportūnus opportune

Derived forms of importune

  • importuner, noun
  • importunity or importunacy, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012