Added 9 October 2026
importunate
/ɪmˈpɔːtjʊnət/ adjective
Latin root: importūnus First recorded: 1477 Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about importunate at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Expressing persistant and earnest entreaty.
an importunate job applicant
Origin
First attested in 1477, in Middle english; from Latin importūnus + -ate (adjective-forming suffix), modelled on Middle French importuné. By surface analysis, importune + -ate (compare inopportune). The noun was substantivized from the adjective, see -ate (noun-forming suffix).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)