OPPORTUNISTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does opportunistic mean? 

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

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

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

 Dictionary entry details 

• OPPORTUNISTIC (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:

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

 Context examples 

D. hominis is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals.

(Dermabacter hominis, NCI Thesaurus)

C. farmeri is most commonly found in water, sewage, soil, and food and is an opportunistic, nosocomial pathogen.

(Citrobacter farmeri, NCI Thesaurus)

These do not include drugs used to treat symptoms or opportunistic infections associated with AIDS.

(Anti-HIV Agent, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

B. dentium is an opportunistic pathogen associated with tooth decay.

(Bifidobacterium dentium, NCI Thesaurus)

C. glycolicum is an opportunistic pathogen in immunocompromised individuals and individuals with open wounds.

(Clostridium glycolicum, NCI Thesaurus)

N. sicca is found in the nasopharynx, saliva, and sputum of humans, but is also an opportunistic pathogen.

(Neisseria sicca, NCI Thesaurus)

M. mesophilicum is an opportunistic but rare human pathogen and is normally found from environmental sources such as soil and vegetation.

(Methylobacterium mesophilicum, NCI Thesaurus)

A. odontolyticus is found in mucus membranes and is an opportunistic pathogen.

(Actinomyces odontolyticus, NCI Thesaurus)

Elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of HIV-related opportunistic infections.

(Pathobiology of Wasting and Growth Retardation, NCI Thesaurus)

A. veronii is an opportunistic pathogen, causing infection in immunocompromised individuals.

(Aeromonas veronii, NCI Thesaurus)