opportune

[ op-er-toon, -tyoon ]

/ ˌɒp ərˈtun, -ˈtyun /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR opportune ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

appropriate, favorable, or suitable: an opportune phrase for the occasion.

occurring or coming at an appropriate time; well-timed: an opportune warning.

Nearby words

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)

SYNONYMS FOR opportune

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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR opportune ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

op·por·tune·ly, adverbop·por·tune·ness, nounun·op·por·tune, adjectiveun·op·por·tune·ly, adverb

un·op·por·tune·ness, noun

Can be confusedopportune opportunistic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for opportunely

The daughter of an impoverished prince was opportunely at hand.
The Surprises of Life|Georges Clemenceau
A stop was thus put, most opportunely, to all troublesome inquiries.
Historic Doubts Relative To Napoleon Buonaparte|Richard Whately
But she felt greatly refreshed, and attacked the viands she had so opportunely discovered with good appetite.
John Ames, Native Commissioner|Bertram Mitford
A certain property of colloidal substances comes into play most opportunely in assisting diffusive preparations.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley

But just at this moment Mrs. Randall opportunely sent in some beautiful clusters.
Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 118, August, 1887|Various

British Dictionary definitions for opportunely

opportune

/ (ˈɒpəˌtjuːn) /

adjective

occurring at a time that is suitable or advantageous

fit or suitable for a particular purpose or occurrence

Derived Formsopportunely, adverbopportuneness, noun

Word Origin for opportune

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.