First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1importune
adjective im·por·tune \ˌim-pər-ˈtün, -ˈtyün; im-ˈpȯr-ˌ, -chən\
Definition of IMPORTUNE
— im·por·tune·ly adverb
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Origin of IMPORTUNE
Middle English, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French importun, from Latin importunus, from in- + -portunus (as in opportunus fit) — more at opportune
Rhymes with IMPORTUNE
2importune
verb
: to ask (someone) for something or to do something in a repeated or annoying way
importunedimportun·ing
Full Definition of IMPORTUNE
transitive verb
1
a : to press or urge with troublesome persistence b archaic : to request or beg for urgently
intransitive verb
: to beg, urge, or solicit persistently or troublesomely
— im·por·tun·er noun
See importune defined for English-language learners
See importune defined for kids
First Known Use of IMPORTUNE
1530
Related to IMPORTUNE
- Synonyms
- appeal (to), beseech, besiege, conjure, entreat, impetrate, implore, beg, petition, plead (to), pray, solicit, supplicate
Synonym Discussion of IMPORTUNE
beg, entreat, beseech, implore, supplicate, adjure, importune mean to ask urgently. beg suggests earnestness or insistence in the asking <they begged for help>. entreat implies an effort to persuade or to overcome resistance <entreated me to join them>. beseech and implore imply a deeply felt anxiety <I beseech you to have mercy> <implored her not to leave>. supplicate suggests a posture of humility <with bowed heads they supplicated their Lord>. adjure implies advising as well as pleading <we were adjured to tell the truth>. importune suggests an annoying persistence in trying to break down resistance <importuning viewers for donations>.
IMPORTUNER Defined for Kids
importune
verb im·por·tune \ˌim-pər-ˈtün, -ˈtyün\
im·por·tunedim·por·tun·ing
Definition of IMPORTUNE for Kids
: to beg or urge in a repeated or annoying way <Salesmen importuned us to buy.>
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