inopportune

American  

[in-op-er-toon, -tyoon] / ɪnˌɒp ərˈtun, -ˈtyun /

adjective

1. not opportune; inappropriate; inconvenient; untimely or unseasonable.

   an inopportune visit.

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inopportune British  

/ ɪnˈɒpəˌtjuːn /

adjective

1. not opportune; inappropriate or badly timed

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Usage

What does inopportune mean? Inopportune means inappropriate, unfavorable, or unsuitable for a particular situation or occasion. It can also mean coming at the wrong time. The terms untimely and poorly-timed mean the same thing. Inopportune is especially used in the phrases inopportune moment and inopportune time, meaning the moment that’s least suitable or favorable (for something to happen or be done). Inopportune is the opposite is opportune, which means appropriate, favorable, or suitable for a particular situation or occasion. It can also mean coming at the right time—timely or well-timed. Example: The audit was very inopportune—it came at the worst possible time.

Other Word Forms

• inopportunely adverb
• inopportuneness noun
• inopportunity noun

Etymology

Origin of inopportune

From the Late Latin word inopportūnus, dating back to 1525–35. See in- ³, opportune

Explanation

Since the meaning of "opportune" is "favorable" or "well-timed," it's easy to guess that the meaning of inopportune means something that is ill-timed or inappropriate. That little prefix in- means "not," and it totally turns the meaning of a word around. Think of the Latin word opportunus, which means "fitting" or "opportune." When you add in- in front of it, or any word, you give the word the opposite meaning. That's the history of the word inopportune, which has been used since the early 16th century to describe something that is "not fitting." For example, "She opened the door at an inopportune moment and saw him fire the gun." Bad timing? You bet. And very inopportune.

Example Sentences

But it comes at an inopportune time for the industry, as investors pull money from some private-credit funds amid turbulence in that market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

The latest letdown comes at an inopportune moment.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

So, disruption to the expected rebound in earnings growth comes at an inopportune time for European stock markets, just as analysts were predicting the headwinds of forex and tariffs would start to ease.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 20, 2026

He can create magic with the ball at his feet but he can also be out of position at inopportune moments.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025

However, halting our investigation without discussion and keeping everything bottled up is taking its toll: my always-happy face has begun to falter at inopportune times.

From "Odd One Out" by Nic Stone