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Descriptive of repetitious or annoying requests that are irritating or persistent: Edison continued to plead for ice cream in an importunate manner which was upsetting his mother.

As a mother, Jamie's little two-year old son, though lovable, was often importunate because he wanted this or that many times during the day.

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In an entreating, troublesome, or begging manner: Cabe’s proposal of marriage to Lina was done in an importunately casual manner that amused her.

Something that is presented in an annoying and continuous way: The importunateness of his request when Fritz spoke to his grandmother upset his mother.

To urgently beseech or to beg persistently in an urgent; and, sometimes, in an annoying way: Despite the fact that Ira knew Pam's feet were hurting her, he was importuning her to go for a walk with him around the harbor.

Jack, the homeless man, was walking around the streets of the city importuning passersby for money.

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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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An individual who continuously makes irksome requests: George was an irritating importuner who was always making irritating pleadings of his schoolmates for help.

A demanding, insistent, irritating appeal: To ask Sabina to go on a long walk in the rain with a strong wind seemed to her too much of an importunity.

Descriptive of something that is done, suggested, or proposed at a bad or inconvenient time: Manual chose the most inopportune moment to announce just before dinner that he wanted to take a shower.

Referring to something being done at an inconvenient or unfavorable time: Janet, the hostess, thought that asking for their ice cream and cake before washing their hands after playing outside was inopportunely begged for by the children at the birthday party.

Glenda inopportunely wanted to change her clothes just as she and her parents were getting into their car to go shopping.

Descriptive of something that is done at a suitable or appropriate time: Sergio tried to choose the most opportune moment to request a raise of his salary from his boss.

Chris thought that now would be an opportune time to buy a new house for his family before interest rates increase.

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Go to this Word A Day Revisited Index
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Characteristic of doing something at the right time or just when it is needed: Mr. Thomas, the politician, opportunely changed his healthcare plan in order to win the election.

The act of taking advantage of situations or events with no regard for the consequences: The publication of the novel so soon after the scandal was considered by some to be a shameless opportunism.

The opportunism by the football player in grabbing the football pass thrown by the opposing quarterback and running for a goal that won the game for his team was cheered by all of his fellow team members.

A person who takes advantage of situations or events, having no thought or consideration for the effects that might take place: Maxine is an opportunist who is always trying to sit in the front row whenever the governor is speaking.

1. Favorable circumstances or situations for making choices or for doing something: Dale told his wife that this afternoon seems like the perfect opportunity to go for a walk in the park.

There are apparently not as many job opportunities these days for university graduates around the world, or for anyone else!

2. Etymology: from Latin opportunus. "toward port"; an ancient sailing term that was used by sailors to describe a wind that was blowing favorably in the direction of the harbor at the time their ships were returning from the sea.

1. A legal document which provides citizenship identity and that allows people to travel to various countries: Pamela always makes sure to have her passport with her when she travels abroad.
2. Anything that makes it possible for a person to achieve something: A good education is usually a passport to a better future.

Typically a covered area attached to the front, back, and/or the side of a house with or without walls and windows: Bill's mother swept and mopped her back porch at least once every other day.