3 syllables: op, por, tune. Stress on tune.
ah-pur-TOON
/ˌɑpɚˈtun/
opportune is pronounced ah-pur-TOON (/ˌɑpɚˈtun/). It has three syllables (op-por-tune), with the stress on "tune". Opportune (adj) describes a time or occasion that is favorable or convenient for a particular purpose. It conveys suitability and timeliness, often implying luck or timely appropriateness. In usage, it suggests suitability within the circumstances, not just general usefulness. It can also carry a slightly formal tone in reference to advantageous timing.
Opportune (adj) describes a time or occasion that is favorable or convenient for a particular purpose. It conveys suitability and timeliness, often implying luck or timely appropriateness. In usage, it suggests suitability within the circumstances, not just general usefulness. It can also carry a slightly formal tone in reference to advantageous timing.
- Misplacing stress: treat op- as a prefix and accidentally stress the second syllable; instead, keep primary stress on the first syllable: OP-portune. - Blurring the /t/ and /j/ sequence: practice the transition from /t/ to /j/ slowly, then speed up. - Final -e is silent; do not pronounce it as 'opportunee'. Instead, end with a crisp /n/ sound. - Non-rhotic learners often drop the /r/ in the second syllable; in rhotic dialects, lightly pronounce /r/ after the vowel to avoid a heavy 'r' sound. - Over-pronouncing the second vowel: keep the schwa-like /ər/ and /ə/ in the second syllable rather than a full vowel in every speaker. Practice tips: record yourself, compare with native audio, use minimal pairs with similar words like 'opportune' vs 'opportunity' to anchor the final sounds.
"It was an opportune moment to ask for a pay raise, just after the annual review."
"The company seized an opportune window to launch the product ahead of competitors."
"Her opportune arrival saved the meeting from starting late."
Pronounce as /ˈɑpərˌtjuːn/ in US, /ˌɒpəˈtjuːn/ in UK, and /ˌɒpəˈtuːn/ in Australian English. The primary stress lands on the first syllable, with a secondary stress or strong beat before the final syllable. Break it as OP-er-tune: the first syllable has an open back vowel, the second is a schwa-like sound, and the final syllable uses a long
Common mistakes: flattening the 'op' to a short o like 'op-port‑oon' and misplacing the 'r' after the vowel in non-rhotic speakers. Correction: aim for /ˈɑpərˌtjuːn/ with a quick, barely audible 'r' in rhotic dialects; in non-rhotic accents, the r-sound is omitted, so /ˈɒpəˌtjuːn/. Emphasize the unstressed schwa in the second syllable and keep the final /nj/ sequence smooth, avoiding a hard 'n' at the end.
In US English, /ˈɑpərˌtjuːn/ with a rhotacized first syllable and a clear /tj/ onset before the final /uːn/. UK English often renders as /ˌɒpəˈtjuːn/ with less pronounced r and a tighter final vowel. Australian English tends to merge the second vowel toward /ə/ and final /uːn/ as /uːn/, with less precise /tj/ onset depending on speaker. Overall, rhotics versus non-rhotics and vowel quality differences shape the subtle shifts in the second syllable and final vowel length.
The difficulty stems from the -port- cluster and the /tj/ transition into /juː/ or /tuː/ depending on dialect. Learners often misplace the stress or blur the /r/ and /t/ sequence, producing /ˈɒpəˌtuːn/ or /ˈɒppərˌtjuːn/ with a strong vowel shift. Focus on the subtle demarcation between the second syllable’s schwa and the consonant cluster leading into the -une ending, and practice the smooth glide from /t/ to /j/ to /uːn/.
Phonologically, the etymology doesn’t change articulation, but recognizing the root helps you segment the word: op-port-une. The 'port' cluster begins with a bilabial stop /p/ followed by /ɔ/ or /ɒ/ depending on accent, and then /r/ in rhotic accents. You’ll speak the syllables clearly to avoid blending the /p/ and /r/. The meaning cue helps you cue a natural, confident rise in stress from OP to PORTUNE. IPA cues aid articulation: US /ˈɑpərˌtjuːn/, UK /ˌɒpəˈtjuːn/.
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- US: rhotic; pay attention to /r/ before the vowel in the second syllable and a clear /tj/ sequence leading to /uːn/. - UK: non-rhotic; the /r/ is dropped; the second syllable has reduced R influence; focus on /ə/ sounds and the /tjuːn/ cluster. - AU: often midway; vowel lengths vary slightly; ensure the /juː/ or /tuːn/ sound is smooth, with a slight roll toward the /l/ not present. Vowel quality: US tends to a clear /ɜr/ or /ər/; UK lowers it toward schwa + r-coloring; AU softer, with less precise r-coloring. IPA references help: US /ˈɑpərˌtjuːn/, UK /ˌɒpəˈtjuːn/, AU /ˌɒpəˈtuːn/.
Opportune comes from Latin opportunus, meaning favorable, from ob- toward + portus harbor, suggesting a harbor toward which one can move advantageously. It entered English via Middle French opportun, then Old French opportun, with sense evolution aligning to “favorable time” or “convenient moment.” The modern sense solidified in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with both strategic timing and favorable conditions. The core idea is about opportunity and utility: a moment or circumstance that yields benefit if seized. The French and Latin roots emphasize movement toward a harbor or opportunity—an apt metaphor for a timely strategic move. Historically, its usage often carried a somewhat elevated register, frequently appearing in formal or literary contexts, before gradually becoming common in journalism and everyday prose. First known uses trace to Renaissance English writers who discussed opportunities in political and social moments, evolving to describe something that is well-suited to the moment. In contemporary usage, opportune retains a formal or literary tint, often used to describe timing rather than intrinsic quality alone.
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Words that rhyme with "opportune"
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