opportunity English · revision 3121

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374|origins=la portus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˌɒp.əˈtʃuː.nə.ti/, /ˌɒp.əˈtjuː.nə.ti/, US /ˌɑː.pɚˈtuː.nə.t̬i/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|opportunite]],^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline) [[bor|fro|opportunite]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) and directly [[bor|la|opportūnitās|t=fitness, convenience, favorable time]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|opportūnus|t=fit, convenient, favorable]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) the source of [[opportune]], from the phrase ob portum veniens “coming toward a harbor”, said of the wind,^(Etymonline) from ob “toward” and portus “harbor”, the source of [[port]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Fitness, aptitude: about 1374, a sense now obsolete;^(OED 1989) a time or condition favorable for a purpose, “fit, convenient or seasonable time”, is from 1375,^(OED 1989) the late 14th century.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The quality of being opportune, timeliness, is from 1531,^(OED 1989) and an advantageous site or position from 1555.^(OED 1989) Johnson (1755) defined it as “fit place; time; convenience; suitableness of circumstances to any end”.^(Johnson 1755) ''Equality of opportunity'' is from 1891.^(OED 1989) ''Opportunity cost'' in economics is attested from 1911,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the saying ''opportunity knocks but once'' from 1898.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – fitness, aptitude.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1375 – a favorable time or condition.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1531 – timeliness.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1891 – ''equality of opportunity''.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1898 – ''opportunity knocks but once''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1911 – ''opportunity cost''.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A favorable time or set of circumstances for doing something; a [[chance]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A chance for [[progress]] or advancement, as in a job.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[land of opportunity]]

+ * [[equal opportunity]]

+ * [[opportunity cost]]

+ * [[photo opportunity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[opportune]]

+ * [[opportunism]]

+ * [[opportunist]]

+ * [[opportunistic]]

+ * [[importune]]

+ * [[port]]

+ * [[portal]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Opportunity'' is a favorable state of affairs or suitable time;^(AHD) an ''occasion'' is a time suited to a particular purpose, an ''opening'' an opportunity that offers a good chance of success, and a ''break'' a stroke of luck.^(AHD) In northern English slang of Grose's time, ''of strange opportunity'' meant “whimsical”.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}