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opportune

[op-er-toon, -tyoon]
See more synonyms for opportune on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. appropriate, favorable, or suitable: an opportune phrase for the occasion.
  2. occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well-timed: an opportune warning.
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Origin of opportune

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin opportūnus convenient, equivalent to op- op- + portu-, stem of portus access, port1 + -nus adj. suffix (u lengthened as in tribūnus tribune1)
Related formsop·por·tune·ly, adverbop·por·tune·ness, nounun·op·por·tune, adjectiveun·op·por·tune·ly, adverbun·op·por·tune·ness, noun
Can be confusedopportune opportunistic

Synonyms

See more synonyms for opportune on Thesaurus.com
1. apt; fortunate, propitious. 2. convenient. 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for opportunely

Historical Examples

  • And whose death comes so opportunely for thy rise, Don Alvar?

    Calderon The Courtier

    Edward Bulwer-Lytton

  • The finance of the country is "opportunely" a little improved.

  • As she took it she said, with a smile, "I am very glad to have met you so opportunely."

  • What you would have done with them had I not opportunely arrived, I cannot pretend to say.

    The Young Rajah

    W.H.G. Kingston

  • It was the rifle of Mahoghany Drake that had spoken so opportunely.

    Twice Bought

    R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for opportunely

opportune

adjective
  1. occurring at a time that is suitable or advantageous
  2. fit or suitable for a particular purpose or occurrence
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Derived Formsopportunely, adverbopportuneness, noun

Word Origin

C15: via Old French from Latin opportūnus, from ob- to + portus harbour (originally: coming to the harbour, obtaining timely protection)
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

Word Origin and History for opportunely

opportune

adj.

c.1400, from Old French opportun and directly from Latin opportunus "fit, convenient, suitable, favorable," from the phrase ob portum veniens "coming toward a port," in reference to the wind, from ob "to, toward" (see ob-) + portus "harbor" (see port (n.1)). Related: Opportunely.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper