adj
inopportune
Inopportune (adj) means happening at an inconvenient or badly timed moment. Example: “He chose a highly inopportune moment to bring up the layoffs.”
adj
1
Happening at an inconvenient or badly timed moment.
"The inopportune arrival of the bus cut short the interesting conversation."
"The object is to keep the yard operators apprised of main-line movements, so that they do not plan to occupy the main lines with activity into or out of the yard at an inopportune juncture."
— Geoffrey Freeman Allen, The New Look in Scotland's Northern Division—II (1962)
"He chose a highly inopportune moment to bring up the layoffs."
"The phone rang at the most inopportune time, right in the middle of the ceremony."
How to use inopportune
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBadly timed; happening at the wrong moment.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
inopportune moment
inopportune time
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more inopportune
- Superlative
- most inopportune
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He chose a highly _____ moment to bring up the layoffs.
Etymology
From Latin inopportunus — in- ("not") plus opportunus ("fitting, timely").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for inopportune
See all rhymes for inopportune →Frequently asked questions
What does “inopportune” mean?
The word “inopportune” means happening at an inconvenient or badly timed moment. In plain terms, badly timed; happening at the wrong moment.
How do you use “inopportune” in a sentence?
Here is “inopportune” used in a sentence: “He chose a highly inopportune moment to bring up the layoffs.”
What is another word for “inopportune”?
Words with a similar meaning to “inopportune” include unfit and untimely.
What is the opposite of “inopportune”?
The opposite of “inopportune” — its antonyms — are opportune, appropriate, fitting and timely.
What part of speech is “inopportune”?
“Inopportune” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inopportune” come from?
The word “inopportune” comes from Latin. From Latin inopportunus — in- ("not") plus opportunus ("fitting, timely").
