Skip to main content

surprisean unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing

Pronunciation (IPA): /sərˈpraɪz/

Example Sentences

  • My cat's surprise gift was a dead mouse on my pillow.
  • The biggest surprise was finding my keys in the refrigerator.
  • Don't surprise me while I'm drinking hot coffee!

surprise

NOUN

[/sərˈpraɪz/]

an unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing

When she opened the box expecting a cake, a puppy suddenly jumped out and surprised her completely.
💡 Concept

When she opened the box expecting a cake, a puppy suddenly jumped out and surprised her completely.

When the balloon pops, wide eyes arise in sudden surprise.
🎵 Rhyme

When the balloon pops, wide eyes arise in sudden surprise.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/sərˈpraɪz/
🇬🇧 UK/səˈpraɪz/

🌳Etymology

Prefixsur--
Rootprise

Origin

From Old French 'surprendre' meaning 'to overtake or catch unawares,' derived from Latin 'super-' (over) and 'prendere' (to take or seize).

Breakdown

sur- (over) + -prise (from prendere, to take) = surprise

🎵Rhyme

prizerisewisesize
prize
rise
wise
size

🔗Collocations

surprise party
surprise attack
pleasant surprise
take by surprise
surprise visit

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My cat's surprise gift was a dead mouse on my pillow.

😄 Fun example

The biggest surprise was finding my keys in the refrigerator.

Don't surprise me while I'm drinking hot coffee!

It was no surprise that he failed the test without studying.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

shockastonishamazestartle

Antonyms

expectanticipatepredict

Related

unexpectedsuddenamazementwonder

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.