Sudden Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sudden

[ˈsʌdən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

unexpected change

happening, coming, made, or done quickly, without warning or unexpectedly

Synonyms

abrupt, quick, rapid, unexpected.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sudden	Used to describe something that happens quickly and without warning. His sudden departure surprised everyone. There was a sudden change in the weather.
unexpected	Used when something happens suddenly and was not anticipated, emphasizing the element of surprise. She received some unexpected news. Their visit was completely unexpected.
abrupt	Often used to describe a sudden change or stopping that is notably harsh or unexpected. Can have a negative connotation. She made an abrupt decision to quit her job. The car came to an abrupt halt.
quick	Refers to something happening in a short amount of time or at a fast speed. Generally neutral and common in daily use. I'll be back in a quick moment. He gave a quick response to the question.
rapid	Describes something happening very fast, often used in technical or formal contexts. The rapid advancement of technology is astonishing. There was a rapid increase in temperature.

Examples of usage

a sudden change in the weather
He died a sudden death
She had a sudden urge to laugh

^{Context #2 | Noun}

unexpected event

an unexpected event that happens quickly and without warning

Synonyms

bombshell, shock, surprise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sudden	Used when describing something that happens quickly and unexpectedly. The weather took a sudden turn for the worse His sudden departure surprised everyone
surprise	Used when describing something that happens unexpectedly, often with a positive or neutral connotation. Her promotion came as a pleasant surprise They threw a surprise party for his birthday
shock	Used to describe an extreme emotional reaction to something unexpected, often negative or distressing. The community was in shock after the tragic accident It was a shock to hear that he had been fired
bombshell	Refers to a shocking and often upsetting piece of news or event, usually with significant impact. Often has a negative connotation. The news of the CEO's resignation was a bombshell She dropped a bombshell when she announced her decision to leave the company

Examples of usage

The car came to a sudden stop
The news of his resignation came as a sudden shock

^{Context #3 | Adverb}

quickly and unexpectedly

Synonyms

abruptly, quickly, unexpectedly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sudden	Use 'sudden' to describe something happening quickly and without any warning. Often used to describe events, changes, or movements that occur surprisingly. A sudden storm caught everyone by surprise Her sudden illness shocked the family
abruptly	'Abruptly' is suitable for situations where actions or events happen very quickly and without much warning, often in a rude or unexpected manner. He ended the meeting abruptly and stormed out The car stopped abruptly, causing everyone to lurch forward
unexpectedly	'Unexpectedly' describes events or actions that happen without anticipation. There's an element of surprise, but it doesn’t emphasize speed as much as the unforeseen nature. He arrived home unexpectedly early The results of the election came unexpectedly to many
quickly	Use 'quickly' to describe actions done with speed, but not necessarily with surprise or without preparation. It emphasizes the pace of an action. She quickly packed her bags and left The fire spread quickly through the building

Examples of usage

She stopped sudden and looked around
The bird flew sudden from the tree

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Surprise events can trigger a rush of adrenaline, which prepares the body for a 'fight or flight' reaction.
Sudden changes can impact mood and stress levels, often leading to feelings of anxiety or thrill.
The brain processes unexpected stimuli quickly, which is why startling moments feel intense.

Literature

Many authors use sudden events to drive plot twists, creating suspense and engaging readers.
In poetry, sudden moments often evoke strong emotions and imagery, making works more impactful.
Classic literature often features sudden character revelations, like a secret being exposed at a pivotal moment.

Pop Culture

Songs and movies often center around sudden love or unexpected tragedies, captivating audiences with their intensity.
In superhero films, sudden transformations or events often serve as a turning point for the main character.
Memes frequently play on the idea of sudden reactions or changes, becoming popular for their humor.

Science

Sudden environmental changes can significantly affect ecosystems, like the immediate impact of a natural disaster.
In technology, sudden shifts in user behavior can lead to rapid changes in software and app development.
An unexpected event in a scientific experiment can lead to new discoveries, often guiding future research.

Origin of 'sudden'

Main points about word origin

The word originates from the Old French 'soudain', which means 'sudden, unexpected'.
Its roots can be traced back to the Latin word 'subitus', meaning 'to come from below' or 'unexpected'.
It has evolved over time to describe things that occur without warning.

The word 'sudden' originated from the Middle English word 'sodeyn', which came from the Old French 'sodain', ultimately from the Latin 'subitāneus', meaning 'sudden, unexpected'. The sense of 'happening without warning' has been in use since the 14th century.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,584, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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