opportune

[op-er-toon, -tyoon]

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.

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 for opportune

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. 2019

Related Words for opportunely

strongly, well, profitably, timely, fortunately, plumb, appropriately, suitably, aptly, favorably, propitiously, providentially, perfectly, precisely, flawlessly, relevantly, swimmingly, auspiciously, prosperously, triumphantly

Examples from the Web for opportunely

Historical Examples of opportunely

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.
Memoirs of the Court of George IV. 1820-1830 (Vol 1)
Duke of Buckingham and Chandos
As she took it she said, with a smile, "I am very glad to have met you so opportunely."
Louis XIV., Makers of History Series
John S. C. Abbott
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

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.