Unexpected
/ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/
Definitions
Not anticipated or regarded as likely to happen.
/ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/
Not anticipated or predicted; surprising
The rain was unexpected, and we didn't have umbrellas.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're waiting for a package and it arrives a day early! That early arrival is unexpected, because you weren't planning on it.
👶 For kids: Something unexpected is something that you didn't think would happen.
More Examples
Her unexpected visit brightened my day.
The unexpected twist in the plot kept me on the edge of my seat.
How It's Used
"An unexpected phone call"
"Unexpected costs can disrupt a project's budget."
"The sudden and unexpected death of the actor shocked the world."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
The unexpected guest
Someone who arrives without prior notification or invitation.
"We had a lovely dinner until the unexpected guest showed up."
An unexpected turn of events
A surprising or unforeseen development.
"The trial took an unexpected turn of events when a new witness came forward."
From 'un-' (not) + 'expected' (anticipated). Expected comes from the Latin word 'expectare' meaning 'to wait for' or 'to anticipate'.
The word 'unexpected' has been in use since the late 16th century. Early examples highlight its use in describing events that are not anticipated or looked for.
Memory tip
Think of the 'un-' as a negative prefix. If something's not expected, it is unexpected!
Word Origin
"not (un-) + expected (from expectare - to wait for)"