importune

UK: /ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn/

US: /ˌɪmpɔrˈtun, -ˈtjun/

US: (im′pôr to̅o̅n′, -tyo̅o̅n′, im pôr′chən)

Inflections of 'importune' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

importunes

v 3rd person singular

importuning

v pres p

importuned

v past

importuned

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•por•tune /ˌɪmpɔrˈtun, -ˈtyun/   v., -tuned, -tun•ing, adj. 
v. 

1. to urge with too much persistence so as to be annoying: [~ + object]
   importuning him for a raise.
   [no obj]:
   importuning for a raise every day.

adj. 

2. importunate.

im•por•tun•i•ty, n. 

[uncountable] continuing importunity.

[countable] obnoxious importunities on the streets.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

im•por•tune  (im′pôr to̅o̅n′, -tyo̅o̅n′, im pôr′chən), v., -tuned, -tun•ing, adj. 
v.t. 

1. to press or beset with solicitations;
   demand with urgency or persistence.
2. to make improper advances toward (a person).
3. to beg for (something) urgently or persistently.
4. [Obs.] to annoy.
5. [Obs.] to press;
   impel.

v.i. 

6. to make urgent or persistent solicitations.
7. to make improper advances toward another person.

adj. 

8. importunate.

• Latin importūnus unsuitable, troublesome, relentless; see im-², opportune
• Middle English (adjective, adjectival) 1350–1400

im′por•tune′ly, adv. 
im′por•tun′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1, 3. beseech, entreat, implore, supplicate, solicit.
• 6. plead.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

importune / ɪmˈpɔːtjuːn/ verb (transitive)

1. to harass with persistent requests; demand of (someone) insistently
2. to beg for persistently; request with insistence

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin importūnus tiresome, from im- in-¹ + -portūnus as in opportūnus opportune

imˈportuner noun

ˌimporˈtunity, imˈportunacy noun