opportunistic

English

Etymology

From opportunist +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˌɒp.əˌtjuːˈnɪs.tɪk/, /ˌɒp.əˌt͡ʃ(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌɑ.pɚˌt(j)uːˈnɪs.tɪk/

Adjective

opportunistic (comparative more opportunistic, superlative most opportunistic)

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.

   You can't trust somebody that opportunistic: he'll stab you in the back the first chance he gets.

Derived terms

• nonopportunistic
• opportunistically
• opportunistic infection

 

Related terms

• opportunist
• opportunism
• opportunity

Translations

taking advantage of situations that arise

• Catalan: oportunista
• French: opportun (fr)

said of people who will take advantage of situations

• Catalan: oportunista
• Dutch: opportunistisch (nl)
• French: opportuniste (fr), profiteur (fr)
• Galician: oportunista
• German: opportunistisch (de)
• Japanese: 日和る (hiyoru)
• Portuguese: oportunista (pt)
• Spanish: oportunista (es)