opportunist
C1Formal / Informal, generally critical or descriptive.
Definition
Meaning
A person who takes advantage of opportunities as they arise, especially with little regard for principles or consequences.
A person who adapts their actions and beliefs to changing circumstances for personal gain; someone who seizes chances, often with a connotation of being self-serving, unprincipled, or exploitative.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun, can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., opportunist behaviour). The term often carries a negative connotation, implying a lack of scruples, foresight, or loyalty. It suggests reactive, short-term gain rather than principled, long-term strategy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling and usage are identical. The derived adjective 'opportunistic' is slightly more common in formal contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties. May be slightly more prevalent in political discourse in the US.
Frequency
Similar moderate frequency in both. Slightly more common in written than spoken language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be an opportunistcall someone an opportunistaccuse someone of being an opportunistact like an opportunistsee an opportunist in someoneVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “An opportunist never misses a trick.”
- “Strike while the iron is hot (similar concept, but positive).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Describes a competitor or colleague who exploits market fluctuations or internal changes for personal advancement.
Academic
Used in political science, sociology, and history to describe actors who capitalise on crises or power vacuums.
Everyday
Used critically to describe someone who changes their stance or friendship based on what's beneficial.
Technical
In biology/ecology: an organism that can thrive in a wide variety of environmental conditions (opportunistic species).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - primary form is noun. Verb form 'to opportunise' is exceedingly rare/non-standard.
American English
- N/A - primary form is noun. Verb form 'to opportunize' is exceedingly rare/non-standard.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'opportunistically' is the standard derived adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'opportunistically' is the standard derived adverb.
adjective
British English
- His approach was purely opportunist, lacking any long-term strategy.
- They made an opportunist bid for the company when its shares plummeted.
American English
- Her decision was seen as an opportunist move to gain favour.
- The senator's opportunist stance on the issue angered his base.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He is an opportunist who only helps people when he needs something.
- Don't be an opportunist; be a true friend.
- The journalist accused the minister of being a political opportunist, changing his policies to please voters.
- In the chaos after the merger, several opportunist managers quickly grabbed key positions.
- Her career has been marked by a series of brilliantly opportunist moves, leveraging each crisis to her advantage.
- Critics derided the policy shift as a cynical, opportunist ploy to win over undecided voters in the marginal constituencies.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'OPPORTUNist' takes every OPPORTUNity they can get.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL INTERACTION IS A MARKET (for gain). LIFE IS A GAME (to be won by seizing chances).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate as "оппортунист" without caution, as the Russian term is heavily politicised and historically linked to deviations from communist doctrine (Lenin's criticism). In modern neutral English, it's broader.
- Avoid using "opportunistic" as a direct translation for "оппортунистический" in non-political contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'oppertunist', 'oportunist'.
- Confusing with 'optimist'.
- Using it as a positive term without clear ironic intent.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes an 'opportunist' in a negative sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Mostly yes. While it technically describes adaptability, it strongly implies a lack of principles or scruples. Using it positively requires clear context or irony (e.g., 'You have to be a bit of an opportunist to survive in this market').
A pragmatist is practical and focused on what works, often within an ethical framework. An opportunist is focused on seizing immediate chances for personal gain, often ignoring ethics or long-term strategy. 'Opportunist' is more negative.
Yes, attributively (before a noun). For example, 'an opportunist politician'. However, the adjective 'opportunistic' is more common and fluid in most contexts (e.g., 'opportunistic infection', 'opportunistic behaviour').
In biology/medicine, it describes an organism (like a bacterium, fungus, or weed) that normally doesn't cause harm but can become pathogenic or dominant when the host's defenses are down or environmental conditions change (e.g., 'opportunistic infection'). This is a neutral technical term.
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