Dictionary

opportunistic en · ADJ

Pronunciation

• /ˌɑ.pɚˌt(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/ (US)
• (Southern-England) audio
• /ˌɒp.əˌt͡ʃ(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/ (UK)
• /ˌɒp.əˌtjuːˈnɪs.tɪk/ (UK)

Etymology

Etymology tree English opportunist Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English opportunistic From opportunist + -ic.

Meanings

1. Taking advantage of situations that arise.
   • The danger now isn't so much from the AIDS virus itself as from opportunistic infections.
2. Taking advantage of situations to advance one's own interests without regard for moral principles.
   • […] an opportunistic relative masquerading as his rescuer, […] 1997 September 28, “In Rescuing a Relative, a Helping or a Heavy Hand?”, in The New York Times:
   • Now, maybe you see this as sort of an obvious and opportunistic publicity play by a competing social-media service. Maybe it even seems crass to you—a little grave-dancy. 2022 November 18, Kaitlyn Tiffany, “Tumblr Gets the Last Laugh”, in The Atlantic:
   • You can't trust somebody that opportunistic: he'll stab you in the back the first chance he gets.

Forms

Deriveds

nonopportunistic · unopportunistic · opportunistic necrophiliac · opportunistically · opportunistic infection

Relateds

opportunity · opportunism · opportunist

Translations (16)

fr profiteur (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · id oportunistis (taking advantage of situations that arise) · pt oportunista (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · es oportunista (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · ja 日和る (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · ca oportunista (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · de opportunistisch (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · nl opportunistisch (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · gl oportunista (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · ka ოპორტუნისტული (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · ca oportunista (taking advantage of situations that arise) · fr opportuniste (said of people who will take advantage of situations) · ms oportunistik (taking advantage of situations that arise) · es oportunista (taking advantage of situations that arise) · ka ოპორტუნისტული (taking advantage of situations that arise) · fr opportun (taking advantage of situations that arise)