What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
opportune
Example
The pandemic presented an opportune moment for the company to pivot towards e-commerce. [opportune: adjective]
Example
He took the opportune time to ask for a raise when the company was doing well. [opportune: noun]
timely
Example
The timely intervention of the firefighters saved the building from burning down. [timely: adjective]
Example
She submitted her report in a timely manner, meeting the deadline. [timely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Timely is more commonly used than opportune in everyday language. Timely is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while opportune is less common and often used in specific fields or situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between opportune and timely?
Both opportune and timely can be used in formal and informal contexts, but opportune may be perceived as more formal due to its less frequent use in everyday language.