How to pronounce opportune
Say it like op-er-CHOON. Opportune has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (CHOON).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opportune. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- op
- er
- CHOON
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opportune pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- opGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- CHOONSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of opportune
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: op-uch-YOON.
What does opportune mean?
- Suitable for some particular purpose.“This would be an opportune spot for a picnic.”
- At a convenient or advantageous time.“The opportune arrival of the bus cut short the boring conversation.”
Where does opportune come from?
From Old French opportun, from Latin opportunus.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with opportune
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of opportune.
Questions about saying opportune
How do you pronounce opportune?
Say op-er-CHOON. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑpɚˈtʃun/. In British English it is /ɒpətʃˈjuːn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opportune?
Opportune has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (CHOON). Broken into parts: op · er · CHOON.
Is opportune pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɒpətʃˈjuːn/ (op-uch-YOON).