26984 words

surprise

8 definitions • 22 examples
1

Examples:

Don't tell Anne we've arranged a party for her - I want it to be a surprise.
It was a wonderful/nasty surprise to get home and find the letter.
Last night's heavy snow came as a complete surprise.
You're always full of surprises (= doing unexpected things).
I wish you wouldn't keep springing surprises on me (= telling me unexpected things or causing unexpected things to happen).
They mounted a surprise attack at dawn.
My uncle paid us a surprise visit yesterday.
2
the feeling caused by something unexpected happening:

Examples:

He looked at her in/with surprise.
To my great surprise, they agreed to all our demands.
3
to make someone feel surprise:

Examples:

The news surprised everyone.
[ + that ] It doesn't surprise me that their parents don't want them to get married.
[ + to infinitive ] It will not surprise anyone to learn that the offer has been rejected.
[ + question word ] Janet was surprised how quickly the time passed.
4
to find, catch, or attack someone when they are not expecting it:

Examples:

The robbers had just opened the safe when they were surprised by the police.
[ + -ing verb ] His mother surprised him helping himself to her gin.
5
an unexpected event, or the feeling caused when something unexpected happens:

Examples:

[ C ] Don’t tell Ann we’re having a party for her – I want it to be a surprise.
[ C ] Last night’s heavy snow came as a complete surprise.
[ U ] To my great surprise, they gave us everything we asked for.
6
(of an event you did not expect) to cause you to feel excitement over a sudden discovery:

Examples:

She surprised a lot of tennis fans by winning the Canadian Open.
7
If you say that you are not surprised or would not be surprised if something happened, you mean that you almost expect it:

Examples:

I’m not surprised that their parents don’t want them to get married.
I would not be surprised to see the economy slow down next year.
8
To surprise someone is also to find the person unexpectedly:

Examples:

She jumped out and surprised her sister, who ran out into the hall.

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