surprise
/səˈpraɪz/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Something unexpected, especially something that happens without warning. It can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.
- The news came as a surprise.
- We planned a surprise for her birthday.
- To our surprise, he arrived early.
verb
To make someone feel unexpected shock, pleasure, or concern. It can also mean to happen when people do not expect it.
- His answer surprised me.
- The team surprised everyone by winning.
- Don't let the result surprise you.
Adinary Nuance
Surprise is about something unexpected happening. It is stronger and more sudden than shock, which usually feels more intense and often negative. It is also different from amazement, which focuses more on wonder than on the unexpected part. You use surprise when the key idea is “I did not expect this.”
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- sự ngạc nhiên
- Spanish
- sorpresa
- Chinese
- 惊讶
- Japanese
- 驚き
- Korean
- 놀라움
Etymology
The word came into English from Old French in the 14th century. It goes back to Latin roots meaning "to take before" or "catch unaware".
Common phrases
a surprise visita surprise partyto everyone's surprisea pleasant surprise
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is "surprise" a noun or a verb?
- It is both. As a noun, it means something unexpected. As a verb, it means to make someone feel unexpected shock or delight.
- What is the difference between "surprise" and "shock"?
- A surprise can be good, bad, or neutral. A shock is usually stronger and more upsetting.
- Can I say "surprised by"?
- Yes. For example: "I was surprised by the result." This is a very common pattern.
- Is "surprise" formal or informal?
- It is a very common everyday word. It is also fine in business and academic English.