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opportuniste

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Etymology and origin of the French word opportuniste

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1876 Le Moniteur More words from the 19th century
Ultimate origin
Latin opportunus

Pronunciation

  • /ɔ.pɔʁ.ty.nist/[1]

Forms

opportuniste (plural opportunistes)[1]

Etymology

It is formed from French opportun + -iste.[2][1] The Grand Robert, the Petit Robert and the GLLF derive it instead from opportunisme, recorded from 1869.[3][4][5][6]

The base was borrowed in 1355 from Latin opportūnus, literally “driving towards the harbour”, an epithet of the wind formed from ob and portus (“harbour”).[6][1]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded as a noun in Le Moniteur in October 1876, in politics, and as an adjective in the supplement to Larousse's dictionary in 1878.[2][6] In those years the word was applied, with a derisive edge, to the moderate republicans around Léon Gambetta.[7][3]

Semantic evolution

Like opportunisme, the word was first political and often pejorative.[6] The followers of Gambetta were called opportunistes by the more radical republicans, and the label then spread to anyone who adapts his conduct to circumstances for his own advantage.[3][2][7]

In the late 20th century biology took the adjective, under English influence, for a germ that becomes harmful only in a body whose immune defences are weakened (infection opportuniste).[4][8][9] English opportunist is recorded from 1881.[7]

Timeline

  • 1355 – The base opportun is borrowed from Latin.[6]
  • 1869 – Opportunisme is recorded.[6]
  • 1876 – Opportuniste appears as a noun in Le Moniteur.[2][6]
  • 1877 – Littré records the noun.[5]
  • 1878 – The adjective is recorded by Larousse.[2][5]
  • 1881 – English opportunist is first recorded.[7]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A person who acts with opportunisme, adapting his principles to circumstances for his own advantage, originally a supporter of the opportunism of Gambetta's republicans.[4][8][2]

Adjective

  1. Acting with opportunism: un ministre opportuniste.[4][9]
  2. (biology) Of a germ: harmful only to an organism with weakened immune defences: une bactérie opportuniste.[4][8][9]
  • opportun
  • opportunisme
  • opportunité
  • Latin opportūnus
  • English opportunist

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ a b c d e Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  5. ^ a b c Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  7. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  8. ^ a b c Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)
  9. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
Cite this entry

“Opportuniste.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/opportuniste. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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