Surprise
/sərˈpraɪz/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn unexpected event or thing.
/sərˈpraɪz/
An unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.
It was a pleasant surprise to see her at the airport.
💡 Simply: A surprise is when something happens that you didn't expect, like getting an unexpected present or seeing someone you know in a place you didn't think they'd be. It's usually something exciting!
👶 For kids: A surprise is something that happens that you didn't know about!
More Examples
The surprise party was a great success.
The sudden change in weather was a bit of a surprise.
How It's Used
"The birthday party was a complete surprise."
"The author uses a plot twist to create a surprise for the reader."
To cause someone to feel surprised.
/sərˈpraɪz/
To cause someone to feel surprise.
The gift surprised her.
💡 Simply: To surprise someone is like giving them an unexpected gift or telling them something they didn't know. It's making them feel surprised or astonished. Like when you jump out and say 'boo!'
👶 For kids: To surprise someone means to make them feel happy and amazed.
More Examples
The sudden rain surprised the hikers.
Her honesty surprised him.
How It's Used
"The gift surprised her."
"The election results surprised many analysts."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
a pleasant surprise
An unexpected and agreeable event or experience.
"Finding out I won the lottery was a pleasant surprise."
to take someone by surprise
To catch someone unaware; to surprise them unexpectedly.
"The enemy attacked and took the army by surprise."
From Middle English surpryse, from Old French surprendre (“to overcome, surprise”), from sur- (“over, upon”) + prendre (“to take”).
The word 'surprise' has been used since the 14th century, initially as a verb and later as a noun, often to describe sudden attacks or unexpected events.
Memory tip
Think of a wrapped gift – the moment you open it is a surprise!
Word Origin
"To overcome, to catch unaware"