noun 1.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.
2.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