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Surprise Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ˜ฒ
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surprise

[sษ™หˆpraษชz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

pleasant feeling

An unexpected or astonishing event, fact, or thing.

Synonyms

amazement, astonishment, shock.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprise

Use for unexpected, but not necessarily overwhelming or extreme events. It often has a neutral or positive connotation.

  • It was a nice surprise to see him at the party.
  • She planned a surprise birthday party for her friend.
shock

Used for intense reactions to unexpected and often negative events. Stronger in intensity than the other words and generally carries a negative connotation.

  • She was in shock after hearing about the accident.
  • The news of his sudden resignation sent a wave of shock through the office.
astonishment

More intense than amazement, often used to describe extreme surprise or wonder. Can be positive or negative depending on context.

  • His astonishment at winning the lottery was understandable.
  • They were in astonishment after hearing the shocking news.
amazement

Best used when expressing a strong reaction to something impressive, wonderful, or remarkable. Has a positive connotation.

  • The audience watched in amazement as the magician performed his tricks.
  • Her amazement was clear when she saw the beautiful view.

Examples of usage

  • The party was full of surprises.
  • She couldn't hide her surprise when she saw the birthday cake.
  • I opened the box with anticipation, and to my surprise, there was a beautiful necklace inside.
  • The sudden appearance of her long-lost friend was a delightful surprise.
  • It was a pleasant surprise to receive a promotion at work.
Context #2 | Verb

unexpected action

Cause (someone) to feel mild astonishment or shock.

Synonyms

amaze, startle, stun.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
surprise

Use when something unexpected happens, and it usually has a neutral or positive connotation.

  • He planned a surprise party for her birthday
  • The news of her promotion was a pleasant surprise
startle

Use when someone is suddenly shocked or frightened by something unexpected, typically has a negative or neutral connotation.

  • The loud noise startled the baby
  • He was startled by the sudden appearance of the cat
amaze

Use when something causes someone to feel great wonder or astonishment, often in a very positive way.

  • Her incredible talent never fails to amaze me
  • The magician's tricks amazed the crowd
stun

Use when one is overwhelmed by something unexpected, often to the point of being temporarily unable to react, can be both negative and positive.

  • The news of the accident stunned everyone
  • Her beauty stunned him into silence

Examples of usage

  • The magician's trick never fails to surprise the audience.
  • She surprised her friends by arriving earlier than expected.
  • He surprised everyone by singing at the talent show.
  • The news of her engagement surprised her family.
  • The unexpected plot twist in the movie surprised the viewers.

Translations

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

Origin of 'surprise'

The word 'surprise' originated from the Middle French word 'surprendre', meaning 'to overtake' or 'to seize unexpectedly'. It entered the English language in the late 15th century. The concept of surprise has always been associated with unexpected events or actions that cause a reaction of astonishment or shock.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,803, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.