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Opportunistic: meaning, definitions and examples

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opportunistic

 

[ ˌɑːpərˈtjuːnɪstɪk ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

self-serving behavior

Opportunistic refers to taking advantage of situations for personal gain, often in a way that lacks principle or ethics. This term is commonly used to describe individuals or actions that are not guided by a moral compass but instead prioritize immediate benefits.

Synonyms

calculating, exploitative, self-serving, tricky

Examples of usage

  • An opportunistic investor often seeks quick profits.
  • The opportunistic approach in politics can lead to unethical decisions.
  • Her opportunistic behavior during negotiations was frowned upon.
Context #2 | Adjective

context in biology

In biology, opportunistic describes organisms that exploit favorable conditions or resources, often without competing for them in an aggressive way. This can be seen in species that thrive in disrupted environments.

Synonyms

adaptive, flexible, resilient

Examples of usage

  • Opportunistic pathogens can cause infections in weakened individuals.
  • Certain plants are opportunistic and grow quickly in nutrient-rich soil.
  • Opportunistic species adapt to changing ecosystems readily.

Translations

Translations of the word "opportunistic" in other languages:

🇵🇹 oportunista

🇮🇳 अवसरवादी

🇩🇪 opportunistisch

🇮🇩 opurtunis

🇺🇦 опортуністичний

🇵🇱 opportunistyczny

🇯🇵 オポチュニスティック

🇫🇷 opportuniste

🇪🇸 oportunista

🇹🇷 fırsatçı

🇰🇷 기회주의적인

🇸🇦 انتهازي

🇨🇿 opportunistický

🇸🇰 opportunistický

🇨🇳 机会主义的

🇸🇮 opportunističen

🇮🇸 tækifærissinnaður

🇰🇿 мүмкіншіл

🇬🇪 მომგებიანი

🇦🇿 imkançılı

🇲🇽 oportunista

Etymology

The word 'opportunistic' is derived from the Latin 'opportunus', which means 'favorable' or 'suitable'. The Latin term itself combines the prefix 'ob-' meaning 'towards' and 'portus' meaning 'port' or 'harbor', referring to a favorable time or place. The term has evolved over time, particularly in English, to describe a quality or behavior that is characterized by taking advantage of opportunities, often with a slightly negative or self-serving connotation. This usage has become more prevalent in both social and business contexts, where individuals are described as opportunistic when they prioritize personal interests over principles or ethics. The term also has significant relevance in biology, where it is used to describe species or organisms that take advantage of environmental opportunities to thrive.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,057, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.