Surprising
/sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
Definitions
Causing a feeling of surprise; unexpected or astonishing.
/sərˈpraɪzɪŋ/
Causing surprise; unexpected.
The sudden change in weather was surprising.
💡 Simply: Something's surprising when it's unexpected and makes you go, 'Wow! I didn't see that coming!' Like, if your friend suddenly brings a pet snake to school, that would be surprising!
👶 For kids: When something happens that you didn't think would happen, it's surprising!
More Examples
It's surprising how much he's improved.
The results were surprisingly positive.
How It's Used
"It was a surprising turn of events."
"The election results were surprisingly close."
Idioms & expressions
to no one's surprise
As expected; predictably.
"To no one's surprise, he was late again."
From Middle English *surprising*, present participle of surprise (v.), from Old French *surprendre* (to overtake, surprise).
Used from the late 14th century, initially in the context of 'overtaking' or 'coming upon unexpectedly'.
Memory tip
Think of a 'prize' that unexpectedly 'surfaces'.