opportunistic

[ op-er-too-nis-tik, -tyoo- ]

/ ˌɒp ər tuˈnɪs tɪk, -tyu- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR opportunistic ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

adhering to a policy of opportunism; practicing opportunism.

Pathology.

(of a microorganism) causing disease only under certain conditions, as when a person's immune system is impaired.
(of a disease or infection) caused by such an organism: Pneumocystis pneumonia is an opportunistic disease that often strikes victims of AIDS.

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

opponency, opponent, opportune, opportunism, opportunist, opportunistic, opportunistic infection, opportunity, opportunity cost, opportunity shop, opposable

Origin of opportunistic

First recorded in 1890–95; opportunist + -ic

Related forms

op·por·tun·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbun·op·por·tun·is·tic, adjective

Can be confused

opportune opportunistic

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

Examples from the Web for opportunistic

In Colombia, it was perceived more like a coincidence or perhaps even an opportunistic play by the FARC.
Venezuela Says Goodbye to Its Lil Friend, While the Rest of the Continent Cheers|Catalina Lobo-Guererro|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Anyone with the intellect of a ping-pong ball should understand how opportunistic that whistleblowing looks.
An Ivy League Frat Boy’s Shallow Repentance|Stefan Beck|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Opportunistic, self-centered—no one could actually write a worse TV mom.
TV’s Best and Worst Moms: ‘Veep,’ ‘Game of Thrones,’ and More|The Daily Beast Video|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These Westerners bring (relative) wads of cash and influence, and are gladly met by opportunistic African leaders.
Why Africa’s Turning Anti-Gay|Jay Michaelson|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“His offending footprint was vast, predatory, and opportunistic,” Spindler said.
Jimmy Savile Report: BBC Presenter Sexually Abused More Than 200 Minors|Peter Jukes|January 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The times were ripe for the opportunistic unionism of Gompers and the trade unionists.
A History of Trade Unionism in the United States|Selig Perlman
The opportunistic method is strong just where the systematic is weak.
The Psychology of Arithmetic|Edward L. Thorndike
In spite of the high regard in which he was held, this opportunistic proposal found little favor.
An American Religious Movement|Winfred Ernest Douglas
We can find some opportunistic expedient, but not a solution of the problem.
The Positive School of Criminology|Enrico Ferri
Individual liberty, hard fought for under the many signs of literacy, appears to be conformistic at best, and opportunistic.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for opportunistic

opportunistic

/ (ˌɒpətjʊˈnɪstɪk) /

adjective

of or characterized by opportunism

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

Derived Forms

opportunistically, adverb

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

Medicine definitions for opportunistic

opportunistic

[ ŏp′ər-tōō-nĭs′tĭk ]

adj.

Of or relating to an organism capable of causing disease only in a host whose resistance is lowered.

Of or relating to a disease caused by an opportunistic organism.