Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

opportunist

/ˌɒpə(ɹ)ˈtjuːnɪst/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.77 in modern English

Syllables: op-por-tunist
IPA: /ˌɒpə(ɹ)ˈtjuːnɪst/

15

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Someone who takes advantage of any opportunity to advance their own situation, placing expediency above principle.

Example Sentences

"James Milner's angled free-kick was headed on to the post by the tireless Bent and Lampard the opportunist was perfectly placed to stoop and head in from virtually on the goal-line."

Etymology

From French opportuniste, equivalent to opportune + -ist.

Inflected Forms

opportunists (plural)

Frequently Paired Words

opportune opportunism opportunistic opportunity

Synonyms

chancer opportunistic timeserving self-seeker

Rhymes With

balloonist bassoonist

Questions

How do you pronounce opportunist?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɒpə(ɹ)ˈtjuːnɪst/.
What does opportunist mean?: Someone who takes advantage of any opportunity to advance their own situation, placing expediency above principle.
Where does opportunist come from?: From French opportuniste, equivalent to opportune + -ist.

How to pronounce opportunist

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “opportunist”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɒpə(ɹ)ˈtjuːnɪst/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “opportunist”.
Repeat and practice — Say “opportunist” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.