Words / C1

in-OP-uh-tyoon/ɪnˈɒpətjuːn/

Inopportune means happening at a bad or unsuitable time: an inopportune visit, inopportune publicity. Untimely is the close twin; a film crew at the embargo minute is still a breach.

Meaning

Happening at a bad or unsuitable time (formal).

Examples

• “An inopportune leak before midnight is still an embargo breach.”
• “An inopportune film crew at the embargo minute is still a breach.”
• “Untimely is the close twin. Inconvenient is milder. A crew is comms. A timestamp is the rule. Wait for the lift; then roll if the minute still allows it.”

Good to know

At a bad time. Close: untimely. A crew at the minute ≠ a lift.

Near in meaning

untimely, inconvenient

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