How to pronounce opportunism
Say it like op-er-TOO-niz-um. Opportunism has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce opportunism. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- op
- er
- TOO
- niz
- um
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Opportunism 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.
- TOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nizGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- umKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of opportunism
- 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-uh-TYOO-niz-um.
What does opportunism mean?
- The practice of taking advantage of any situations or people to achieve an end, often with no regard for principles or consequences.
- The political line of Communist Party members who zealously support the Party, but whose trait is that they yield to the mood of the moment, they are unable to resist what is fashionable, leading to the sacrifice of the permanent and essential interests of the Party to the momentary and minor intere
Where does opportunism come from?
From French opportunisme, equivalent to opportune + -ism.
Questions about saying opportunism
How do you pronounce opportunism?
Say op-er-TOO-niz-um. The American pronunciation is /ˌɑpɚˈtuˌnɪzəm/. In British English it is /ˌɒpəˈtjuːˌnɪzəm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in opportunism?
Opportunism has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (TOO). Broken into parts: op · er · TOO · niz · um.
Is opportunism 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 /ˌɒpəˈtjuːˌnɪzəm/ (op-uh-TYOO-niz-um).