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Inopportune Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inopportune

[ɪnˈɒpətjuːn ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

timing

not suitable or right for a particular situation or occasion

Synonyms

ill-timed, inappropriate, untimely.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
inopportune

Used when something happens at a very inconvenient or unfortunate time, disrupting plans or causing inconvenience.

  • The power outage was quite inopportune, occurring just as they started their presentation.
untimely

Indicates that something happens too early or too late, often leading to unfortunate or unexpected outcomes.

  • His untimely death shocked everyone who knew him.
inappropriate

Describes something that is not suitable or proper in a given situation, often with a negative judgment about the action or decision.

  • Wearing shorts to a formal wedding is highly inappropriate.
ill-timed

Refers to an action or event that happens at a time that is not suitable, often with negative consequences. This term often implies bad judgment.

  • His joke during the serious meeting was ill-timed and offended many people.

Examples of usage

  • It was an inopportune time to bring up the topic of salary negotiations.
  • Her inopportune comment during the meeting caused tension among the team members.
  • The inopportune arrival of the guests interrupted the private conversation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Timing plays a crucial role in decision-making; choices made at inopportune moments can lead to regret.
  • Studies show that personal stress can heighten our perception of inopportune events, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed.
  • People are generally more sensitive to inopportune interruptions when they are focused on complex tasks.

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's works, characters often face inopportune moments leading to tragic or comic outcomes.
  • The concept of timing is a prevalent theme in romantic literature, where love often blooms at inopportune times.
  • Notable novels explore the idea of inopportune events altering characters' destinies, shaping their life paths dramatically.

Pop Culture

  • In sitcoms, comedic moments often arise from characters showing up at inopportune times, creating humor and chaos.
  • The phrase 'wrong place, wrong time' often conveys the idea of inopportune situations in movies and TV shows.
  • Popular songs sometimes reflect themes of love that come at inopportune moments, capturing the essence of timing in relationships.

Science

  • Biological processes can be affected by inopportune timing, such as hormones releasing at the wrong moment during cycles.
  • In ecology, an animal's mating patterns can be inopportune if they coincide with environmental stresses, affecting survival rates.
  • Research highlights that drug effectiveness can be greatly influenced by the timing of administration, making it inopportune if mismanaged.

Origin of 'inopportune'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'inopportunus,' meaning 'not suitable or fitting.'
  • It combines 'in-' (not) and 'opportune' (timely, favorable), highlighting its meaning as 'not the right time.'
  • The term was first used in the English language in the late 16th century.

The word 'inopportune' originated from the Latin word 'inopportunus', which is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'opportunus' (opportune). The term has been used in the English language since the late 17th century. Over time, 'inopportune' has maintained its original meaning of being unsuitable or inconvenient for a specific situation or occasion.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,728, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.