Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

opportunism

[op-er-too-niz-uhm, -tyoo-]

Origin

noun

the policy or practice, as in politics, business, or one's personal affairs, of adapting actions, decisions, etc., to expediency or effectiveness regardless of the sacrifice of ethical principles.

action or judgment in accordance with this policy.

Origin:
1865–70; < Italian opportunismo, equivalent to opportun(o) (< Latin opportūnus; see opportune) + -ismo -ism

Related forms

op·por·tun·ist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source

Link To opportunism

:10

:09

:08

:07

:06

:05

:04

:03

:02

:01

Opportunism is always a great word to know.

So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a printed punctuation mark (‽), available only in some typefaces, designed to combine the question mark (?) and the exclamation point (!), indicating a mixture of query and interjection, as after a rhetorical question.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Collins

World English Dictionary

opportunist (ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪst)

—n
1.	a person who adapts his actions, responses, etc, to take advantage of opportunities, circumstances, etc

—*adj*
2.	taking advantage of opportunities and circumstances in this way

oppor'tunism

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

opportunism

1870, from opportune + -ism. Borrowed from It. opportunismo, a word in Italian politics.

Word Dynamo By Dictionary.com

Searching for opportunism?
How many words do you actually know?

FIND OUT

Matching Quote

"The fact alone that both, like Chatham before them, were great war ministers, links their names inseparably. Beyond that, they shared many qualities in common: unquenchable vitality, restless energy, personal magnetism, and an inspiring power of oratory. They were alike also in their defects: opportunism, total lack of consideration for others, and a degree of egotism that can only be termed infantile. Lloyd George, however, whom Lord Haldane once called "an illiterate with an unbalanced mind," lacked both the versatility and the intellectual power of Churchill. Where Sir Winston found relaxation in Macauley or Gibbon, Lloyd George in his prime amused himself with cheap detective fiction. The latter, cast in an inferior mold, lacked also the personal courage of his younger colleague and successor."

-Giovanni Costigan

Partners:Word Bloglines Citysearch The Daily Beast Ask Answers Ask Kids Life123 Sendori Thesaurus

About Privacy Policy Terms of Use API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Help

opportunism

op·por·tun·ism