The Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is opportune. Read on for what it means, how it’s used, and more.

What It Means

Opportune means “suitable or convenient for a particular situation” or “occurring at an appropriate time.”

// It is an opportune time to invest in the stock market.

// The book’s publication is opportune.

OPPORTUNE in Context

“Whether it’s an open 3-point jumper or back-door cut to the basket that gets him an easy layup, the senior guard has shown up for his team at opportune times as the Boilermakers continue to grind out victories in closely-contested matchups.” — D. J. Fezler, Sports Illustrated, 12 Mar. 2022

Did You Know?

Opportune comes from Latin opportūnus, which can mean “favoring one’s needs,” “serviceable,” or “convenient.” The word is a combination of the prefix ob-, meaning “to,” and portus, a word for a port or harbor. It alludes to choosing any port in a storm for safety.