opportunism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal; used in political, business, and social commentary. Often carries a negative connotation.
Quick answer
What does “opportunism” mean?
The practice of taking advantage of situations for personal gain, often with little regard for principles or consequences.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice of taking advantage of situations for personal gain, often with little regard for principles or consequences.
A policy or style of behaviour that prioritises immediate advantage from changing circumstances, typically in a self-serving way. In biology, it refers to organisms exploiting new environments.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in political discourse in the UK.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “opportunism” in a Sentence
[His/Her] opportunism was evident when...They were accused of opportunism for...The decision was seen as an act of political opportunism.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “opportunism” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The minister was accused of opportunising over the healthcare crisis.
- He tends to opportunise whenever there's internal conflict.
American English
- Critics claimed the senator was opportunizing the tragedy for political gain.
- The company opportunized the market gap before regulations were set.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticising a competitor for exploiting a supply chain crisis to raise prices unfairly.
Academic
Analysing shifts in political alliances not based on ideology but on gaining power.
Everyday
Describing a friend who is only friendly when they need a favour.
Technical
In ecology: 'Opportunistic species rapidly colonise disturbed habitats.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “opportunism”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “opportunism”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “opportunism”
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable (*OP-por-tun-ism*).
- Misspelling: 'opportunism' (single 'p', double 'n').
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'His clever opportunism saved the company' – this is highly context-dependent and risky).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost always in social/political contexts, where it implies selfishness and lack of principle. It can be neutral in scientific contexts (e.g., 'opportunistic bacteria').
Pragmatism is a philosophy focused on practical results and can be neutral or positive. Opportunism is self-serving and implies exploiting circumstances unethically. Pragmatism has principles; opportunism often abandons them.
The verbs 'to opportunise' (UK) / 'to opportunize' (US) exist but are very rare and often considered non-standard or jargon. It's more common to use phrases like 'act opportunistically' or 'be opportunistic'.
In business discourse, it remains largely negative, suggesting short-term, unethical gain. The positive equivalent would be 'entrepreneurship', 'seizing an opportunity', or 'agility'.
The practice of taking advantage of situations for personal gain, often with little regard for principles or consequences.
Opportunism is usually formal; used in political, business, and social commentary. often carries a negative connotation. in register.
Opportunism: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nɪ.zəm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nɪ.zəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An opportunist (noun form) is someone who practises opportunism.”
- “To seize an opportunity (related concept, but not pejorative).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of it as 'OPPORTUNity-ISM' – turning every situation into an opportunity for oneself, often unethically.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME; opportunism is PLAYING THE SYSTEM. POLITICS/ BUSINESS IS WAR; opportunism is SEIZING THE ADVANTAGE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context could 'opportunism' have a NEUTRAL or even positive meaning?