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Added 9 October 2026

importune

/ɪmpɔːˈtjuːn/ verb

Categories: LanguageRare Words

Latin root: importūnor Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about importune at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. To bother, irritate, trouble.
  2. To harass with persistent requests.
  3. To approach to offer one's services as a prostitute, or otherwise make improper proposals.

adjective

  1. Grievous, severe, exacting.
  2. Inopportune; unseasonable.
  3. Troublesome; vexatious; persistent.

noun

  1. Synonym of importuner.

Origin

From Middle French importuner and its etymon Medieval Latin importūnor (“to make oneself troublesome”), from Latin importūnus (“unfit, troublesome”), originally "having no harbor".

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: insisturgebegentreatbotherannoynaggletroublehassleworrygripe

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