OPPORTUNIST

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does opportunist mean? 

• OPPORTUNIST (noun)
  The noun OPPORTUNIST has 1 sense:

1. a person who places expediency above principle

  Familiarity information: OPPORTUNIST used as a noun is very rare.

• OPPORTUNIST (adjective)
  The adjective OPPORTUNIST has 1 sense:

1. taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit

  Familiarity information: OPPORTUNIST used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPPORTUNIST (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person who places expediency above principle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

opportunist; self-seeker

Hypernyms ("opportunist" is a kind of...):

selfish person (a person who is unusually selfish)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "opportunist"):

backscratcher (someone who is willing to trade favors or services for mutual advantage)

bottom feeder (an opportunist who profits from the misfortunes of others)

carpetbagger (an outsider who seeks power or success presumptuously)

hustler; operator; wheeler dealer (a shrewd or unscrupulous person who knows how to circumvent difficulties)

timeserver (one who conforms to current ways and opinions for personal advantage)

Derivation:

opportunism (taking advantage of opportunities without regard for the consequences for others)

opportunist (taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit)

• OPPORTUNIST (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Taking immediate advantage, often unethically, of any circumstance of possible benefit

Synonyms:

opportunist; opportunistic; timeserving

Similar:

expedient (serving to promote your interest)

Derivation:

opportunist (a person who places expediency above principle)

 Context examples 

A. pervotii is an opportunist pathogen in immunocompromised individuals.

(Anaerococcus prevotii, NCI Thesaurus)

E. hoshinae is an occasional opportunist pathogen in humans and a pathogen in reptiles and amphibians.

(Edwardsiella hoshinae, NCI Thesaurus)