surprised
/səˈpraɪzd/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Feeling suddenly caught off guard because something unexpected happened. It can describe a person, face, or reaction.
- She looked surprised by the news.
- I was surprised to see him there.
Adinary Nuance
Surprised is the feeling itself, while shocked is stronger and often more serious. Amazed usually means you are impressed, not just caught off guard. Startled is about a quick, sudden reaction, often to a sound or movement.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- ngạc nhiên
- Spanish
- sorprendido
- Chinese
- 感到惊讶
- Japanese
- 驚いた
- Korean
- 놀란
Etymology
Surprised comes from the verb surprise, which entered English through French in the 14th century. It goes back to Latin superprehendere, meaning “to seize unexpectedly.”
Common phrases
look surprisedbe surprised ata surprised expressionsound surprised
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is surprised a strong word?
- Not usually. It is milder than shocked and stronger than mildly interested.
- What is the difference between surprised and shocked?
- Surprised means something was unexpected. Shocked usually means the news was stronger, worse, or more upsetting.
- Can I say surprised at or surprised by?
- Yes, both are correct. Surprised by is often used for the cause, and surprised at for the thing itself.
- Is surprised formal or informal?
- It is neutral. You can use it in speaking, writing, and business English.