If something happens at an opportune time or is opportune, it happens at the time that is most convenient for someone or most likely to lead to success.
[formal]
I believe that I have arrived at a very opportune moment.
The timing of the meetings was opportune.
Synonyms: timely, fitting, fit, welcome More Synonyms of opportune
opportune in British English
(ˈɒpəˌtjuːn)
adjective
1.
occurring at a time that is suitable or advantageous
2.
fit or suitable for a particular purpose or occurrence
Derived forms
opportunely (ˈopporˌtunely)
adverb
opportuneness (ˈopporˌtuneness)
noun
Word origin
C15: via Old French from Latin opportūnus, from ob- to + portus harbour (originally: coming to the harbour, obtaining timely protection)
opportune in American English
(ˌɑpərˈtun; ˌɑpərˈtjun)
adjective
1.
right for the purpose; fitting in regard to circumstances
said of time
2.
happening or done at the right time; seasonable; well-timed; timely
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈtimely
Derived forms
opportunely (ˌopporˈtunely)
adverb
opportuneness (ˌopporˈtuneness)
noun
Word origin
ME < MFr < L opportunus, lit., at or before the port < ob- (see ob-) + portus, port1
Examples of 'opportune' in a sentence
opportune
The timing is opportune because of a crisis.
Christianity Today (2000)
This rapprochement occurred at an opportune moment.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
People are loyal until it seems more opportune not to be.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This message spread at an opportune time.
Stearns, Peter N. World History: Patterns of Change and Continuity (1995)
The film comes at an opportune moment.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The victory came at a very opportune time for the allies.
French, David The British way in Warfare - 1688-2000 (1990)
So this is an opportune moment to examine opportunities for tax reform.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The influx of fresh cash comes at an opportune time.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He rushed the net at opportune moments and breezed through in less than two hours.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So this is a very opportune time to invest in green energy.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
It was an opportune time to get hopeful about medal prospects.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
So we drive to the school and wait until the opportune time when the buses are all unloading.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It could also be an opportune time to switch to a fixed or capped product to protect from any further price hikes.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Yesterday's triumph could also not have come at a more opportune moment.
The Sun (2015)
Do they spy round the corner, just waiting for the opportune moment?
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
An opportune moment to think about raising money, perhaps?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
A moment of good fortune at a most opportune moment.
The Sun (2011)
If he managed to get out of that industry before a crisis, his opportune sense of timing seems unlikely to hold this time.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
(adjective)
Definition
(of time) suitable for a particular purpose
(formal)
I have arrived at a very opportune moment.
Synonyms
timely
These outbreaks are a timely reminder that the disease persists.
fitting
The President's address was a fitting end to the campaign.
fit
You're not fit to be in charge of this company.
welcome
lucky
They are now desperate for a lucky break.
appropriate
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
suitable
He could think of no less suitable moment to mention the idea.
happy
a happy coincidence
proper
Please ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
convenient
She will try to arrange a mutually convenient time for an interview.
fortunate
It was fortunate that the water was shallow.
favourable
favourable weather conditions
apt
The words of this report are as apt today as they were in 1929.
advantageous
auspicious
His career had an auspicious start.
fortuitous
It was a fortuitous discovery.
well-timed
One well-timed word from you may be all it takes to change his mind.
propitious
the most propitious moment to launch the campaign
heaven-sent
It will be a heaven-sent opportunity to prove himself.
felicitous
Her speech was not at all felicitous.
providential
The bubonic plague was an almost providential killing off of Europe's excess population.
seasonable
falling into your lap
Opposites
unfortunate
,
inappropriate
,
unsuitable
,
inconvenient
,
untimely
,
unfavourable
,
inopportune
Additional synonyms
in the sense of appropriate
Definition
right or suitable
It is appropriate that Irish names dominate the list.
Synonyms
suitable,
right,
fitting,
fit,
suited,
correct,
belonging,
relevant,
proper,
to the point,
in keeping,
apt,
applicable,
pertinent,
befitting,
well-suited,
well-timed,
apposite,
apropos,
opportune (formal),
becoming,
seemly,
felicitous,
germane,
to the purpose,
appurtenant,
congruous,
meet (archaic)
in the sense of apt
Definition
suitable or appropriate
The words of this report are as apt today as they were in 1929.
Synonyms
appropriate,
timely,
right,
seemly,
fitting,
fit,
related,
correct,
belonging,
suitable,
relevant,
proper,
to the point,
applicable,
pertinent,
befitting,
apposite,
apropos,
opportune (formal),
germane,
to the purpose,
meet (archaic)
in the sense of auspicious
Definition
showing the signs of future success
His career had an auspicious start.
Synonyms
favourable,
timely,
happy,
promising,
encouraging,
bright,
lucky,
hopeful,
fortunate,
prosperous,
rosy,
opportune (formal),
propitious,
felicitous
Nearby words of
opportune
opinion poll
opinionated
opponent
opportune
opportunism
opportunity
oppose
Synonyms of 'opportune'
opportune
Explore 'opportune' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of convenient
Definition
suitable or opportune
She will try to arrange a mutually convenient time for an interview.
Synonyms
appropriate,
timely,
suited,
suitable,
beneficial,
well-timed,
opportune (formal),
seasonable,
helpful
in the sense of favourable
Definition
advantageous, encouraging, or promising
favourable weather conditions
Synonyms
advantageous,
timely,
good,
promising,
fit,
encouraging,
fair,
appropriate,
suitable,
helpful,
hopeful,
convenient,
beneficial,
auspicious,
opportune (formal),
propitious
in the sense of felicitous
Definition
appropriate and well-chosen
Her speech was not at all felicitous.
Synonyms
fitting,
timely,
appropriate,
inspired,
suitable,
neat,
apt,
well-chosen,
well-timed,
apposite,
apropos,
opportune (formal),
propitious,
happy
in the sense of fit
Definition
worthy or suitable
You're not fit to be in charge of this company.
Synonyms
appropriate,
qualified,
suitable,
competent,
right,
becoming,
meet (archaic),
seemly,
trained,
able,
prepared,
fitting,
fitted,
ready,
skilled,
correct,
deserving,
capable,
adapted,
proper,
equipped,
good enough,
adequate,
worthy,
convenient,
apt,
well-suited,
expedient,
apposite
in the sense of fitting
Definition
appropriate or proper
The President's address was a fitting end to the campaign.
Synonyms
appropriate,
suitable,
proper,
apt,
right,
becoming,
meet (archaic),
seemly,
correct,
decent,
desirable,
apposite,
decorous,
comme il faut
in the sense of fortuitous
Definition
happening by chance, esp. by a lucky chance
It was a fortuitous discovery.
Synonyms
lucky,
happy,
fortunate,
serendipitous,
providential,
fluky (informal)
in the sense of fortunate
Definition
occurring by good luck
It was fortunate that the water was shallow.
Synonyms
providential,
auspicious,
fortuitous,
felicitous,
timely,
promising,
encouraging,
helpful,
profitable,
convenient,
favourable,
advantageous,
expedient,
opportune (formal),
propitious
in the sense of happy
Definition
fortunate or lucky
a happy coincidence
Synonyms
fortunate,
lucky,
timely,
appropriate,
convenient,
favourable,
auspicious,
propitious,
apt,
befitting,
advantageous,
well-timed,
opportune (formal),
felicitous,
seasonable
in the sense of heaven-sent
It will be a heaven-sent opportunity to prove himself.
Synonyms
fortunate,
providential,
welcome,
blessed,
opportune (formal),
felicitous,
serendipitous
in the sense of lucky
Definition
happening by chance, esp. as desired
They are now desperate for a lucky break.
Synonyms
fortuitous,
timely,
fortunate,
auspicious,
opportune (formal),
propitious,
providential,
adventitious
Additional synonyms
in the sense of proper
Definition
suited to a particular purpose
Please ensure that the proper procedures are followed.
Synonyms
correct,
accepted,
established,
appropriate,
right,
formal,
conventional,
accurate,
exact,
precise,
legitimate,
orthodox,
apt
in the sense of propitious
Definition
likely to prove favourable
the most propitious moment to launch the campaign
Synonyms
favourable,
timely,
promising,
encouraging,
bright,
lucky,
fortunate,
prosperous,
rosy,
advantageous,
auspicious,
opportune (formal),
full of promise
in the sense of providential
Definition
fortunate, as if through divine involvement
The bubonic plague was an almost providential killing off of Europe's excess population.
Synonyms
lucky,
timely,
happy,
welcome,
fortunate,
fortuitous,
opportune (formal),
heaven-sent
in the sense of seasonable
Definition
coming or happening just at the right time
Synonyms
appropriate,
timely,
fit,
welcome,
suitable,
convenient,
well-timed,
opportune (formal),
providential
in the sense of suitable
He could think of no less suitable moment to mention the idea.
Synonyms
convenient,
timely,
appropriate,
well-timed,
opportune (formal),
commodious
in the sense of well-timed
One well-timed word from you may be all it takes to change his mind.