opportunistic

American  

[op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo-] / ˌɒp ər tuˈnɪs tɪk, -tyu- /

adjective

1. adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.

2. Pathology.

   1. (of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.

   2. (of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism.

      Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.

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opportunistic British  

/ ˌɒpətjʊˈnɪstɪk /

adjective

1. of or characterized by opportunism

2. med (of an infection) caused by any microorganism that is harmless to a healthy person but debilitates a person whose immune system has been weakened by disease or drug treatment

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Other Word Forms

• opportunistically adverb
• unopportunistic adjective

Etymology

Origin of opportunistic

First recorded in 1890–95; opportunist + -ic

Example Sentences

Hamilton moved up from fourth on the grid to slip by Norris around the inside of Turn One, before making an opportunistic and improvisational move down the inside of Turn Nine to grab the lead.

From BBC

"Ravens have fascinated people forever," Marzluff said, noting the birds have been considered everything from "creators and tricksters" to "opportunistic pests."

From Barron's

Saying the rush to get a deal had “looked opportunistic and sloppy,” Chief Executive Sam Altman posted messages on X trying to explain and assuage concerns.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Monday, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman admitted he jumped on the Pentagon deal too quickly, saying “I think it just looked opportunistic and sloppy.”

From MarketWatch

In a memo to employees earlier this week, Altman said he regretted moving so quickly to secure the deal, saying it looked “opportunistic and sloppy.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cosmopolitan
• hardened
• practical
• selfish
• urbane