adjective
inopportune
in-ah-per-TOON/ɪnˌɑːpərˈtuːn/
Occurring at an inconvenient or unsuitable time.
The ringing phone is inopportune while both her hands hold the hot tray.
Etymology
The base meaning “favorable” comes from an image of wind coming toward a harbor. The negative prefix reverses that favorable fit: an inopportune event happens when the circumstances make its timing unsuitable.
In context
these clipper guards have a tendency to pop off at the most inopportune times
More examples
- He chose an inopportune time to ask.
- The breakdown was particularly inopportune.
- She apologized for the inopportune visit.
Forms
inopportune
opportune adjective — occurring at a favorable time
Similar words
- untimely
- Untimely means happening at a bad time; inopportune emphasizes inconvenience for the circumstances.
- inconvenient
- Inconvenient causes difficulty; inopportune specifically concerns timing.