opportune
Americanadjective
-
appropriate, favorable, or suitable.
an opportune phrase for the occasion.
- Synonyms:
- propitious, fortunate, apt
-
occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well-timed.
an opportune warning.
- Synonyms:
- convenient
adjective
-
occurring at a time that is suitable or advantageous
-
fit or suitable for a particular purpose or occurrence
Usage
What does opportune mean? Opportune means appropriate, favorable, or suitable for a particular situation or occasion. It can also mean coming at the right time. The terms timely and well-timed mean the same thing. Opportune is especially used in the phrases opportune moment and opportune time, meaning the moment that’s most suitable or favorable (for something to happen or be done). The opposite is inopportune, meaning inappropriate, inconvenient, or untimely, as in The audit was very inopportune—it came at the worst possible time. Example: I believe that now is the opportune time to bring out dessert.
Related Words
Opportune, seasonable, timely refer to something that is particularly fitting or suitable for a certain time. Opportune refers to something that is well-timed and meets exactly the demands of the time or occasion: an opportune remark. Something that is seasonable is right or proper for the time or season or occasion: seasonable weather. Something that is timely occurs or is done at an appropriate time, especially in time to meet some need: timely intervention.
Other Word Forms
- opportunely adverb
- opportuneness noun
- unopportune adjective
- unopportunely adverb
- unopportuneness noun
Etymology
Origin of opportune
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin opportūnus “convenient,” equivalent to op- op- + portu-, stem of portus “access,” port 1 + -nus adjective suffix ( u lengthened as in tribūnus tribune 1 )
Explanation
Use the adjective opportune to describe especially good timing. A snowstorm is an opportune time to make extra money shoveling your neighbor's driveway. You can see the word opportunity in opportune. Both words come from the Latin word opportunus, meaning "favorable," which itself is derived from a phrase that describes wind blowing toward a port. Just as the wind helps speed ships toward shore, something that is opportune offers favorable circumstances for accomplishing something or doing something.
Vocabulary lists containing opportune
The Book Thief
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100 SAT words Beginning with "O"
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Latin Love, Vol I: portare
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But I am reminded of two characteristics: He can pull a rabbit out of his hat at opportune times.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026
Having said all that, luck and an opportune break or two are still key ingredients to political success, as Davis suggested.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
Falling mortgage rates are coming at an opportune time for a housing market that has been stuck in neutral for three years, with sales mired in their worst slump in three decades.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026
They sketched out priorities and drafted legislative language on whiteboards, then waited for the opportune moment to introduce a bill.
From Salon • Dec. 24, 2025
When Dad was ordered to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, the time seemed opportune.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
