inopportune

USAGE SUMMARY

'inopportune' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is poorly timed, untimely, or inappropriate. For example: "The loud construction work outside my window was highly inopportune, as I had a presentation to give in an hour."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He had this ability to – almost on the fly – make up songs about people, and he would sing them at the most inopportune moments – it was this gift that I'd never seen before in anyone.

The Guardian

I lose count of the many times I have been reprimanded for an inopportune frown, eye-roll, or death stare (teachers found the latter particularly unnerving).

The Guardian - Opinion

It would have placed him in London at an inopportune time.

The Guardian

This is mainly to keep the firms out of the hands of others, such as the local upstart Samsung which, in an inopportune display of hubris, launched its expansion into the car market only this year.

The Economist

TO MOST people, condensation is something that mists up car windscreens at inopportune moments.

The Economist

During a game, some stones will "die", and some will appear to be dead but spring back to life at an inopportune moment.

The Economist

There is growing concern, however, that China's needed economic brake-tapping may be coming at the most inopportune of times.

The Economist

But its distinctive white shawls remain a potent symbol of the quest for justice in Latin America.Now the Mothers have attracted criticism for very different reasons, and at an inopportune time for Cristina Fern��ndez, Mr Kirchner's widow and successor as president.

The Economist

Early on in the novel Lionel explains his ungovernable urge to shout, even at the most inopportune moments.

The Economist

With the National Football League NFLL) in a similar state of abeyance, sports fans are becoming well-versed in American labour law.As with the NFL, the NBA lockout comes at an inopportune time.

The Economist

Terrorists can be gratified, extremists inadvertently nurtured and moderates inflamed by inopportune frankness and the publicity it generates.But sometimes there are self-interested reasons for politicians to enlist the "tiny minority".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inopportune", ensure the context clearly establishes what makes the timing unsuitable. Specify the negative consequence or the missed opportunity resulting from the poor timing to enhance clarity.

Common error

While "inopportune" is a valid word, it can sometimes sound overly formal or stilted. In less formal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "bad timing" or "inconvenient" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "inopportune" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something occurs at an inconvenient or unsuitable time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is correctly and effectively used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inopportune" is a versatile adjective used to describe events or situations occurring at an inconvenient or unsuitable time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in news and media sources, as well as encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, ensure the context clearly establishes the negative consequences of the timing. While effective, remember to consider simpler alternatives like "bad timing" or "inconvenient" for informal contexts. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate usage, you can effectively incorporate "inopportune" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ill-timed

Focuses specifically on the poor timing of an event or action.

untimely

Suggests that something happened sooner than it should have, often with negative consequences.

inappropriate

Emphasizes the unsuitability of something for a given situation or context.

inconvenient

Highlights the troublesome or bothersome nature of something due to poor timing or circumstances.

unsuitable

Indicates that something is not appropriate or fitting for a specific purpose or situation.

badly timed

Directly points to the poor timing as the cause of a negative outcome.

poorly timed

Similar to 'badly timed' but can also refer to events that missed their chance.

unseasonable

Suggests that something is out of sync with the typical or expected time or season.

unfavorable

Indicates that the timing or situation is not conducive to a positive outcome.

out of place

Emphasizes that something is not appropriate or fitting within a certain environment or context.

FAQs

How can I use "inopportune" in a sentence?

You can use "inopportune" to describe a situation or event that occurs at an inconvenient or unsuitable time. For example, "The power outage was an "ill-timed" interruption during the crucial presentation."

What are some synonyms for "inopportune"?

Some synonyms for "inopportune" include "untimely", "inconvenient", "inappropriate", and "ill-timed".

Is "inopportune" a formal word?

Yes, "inopportune" is generally considered a more formal word. In less formal contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "inconvenient" or "bad timing".

What's the difference between "inopportune" and "unfortunate"?

"Inopportune" specifically refers to something happening at a bad or unsuitable time, while "unfortunate" is more general and refers to something unlucky or regrettable. An inopportune event is always unfortunate, but an unfortunate event isn't always "badly timed".