Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
surprise

sur·prise

surprise

 
 
pronunciation:
sr praIz [or] s praIz
parts of speech:
verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Builder, Word Parts
part of speech: verb
inflections: surprises, surprising, surprised
definition: to suddenly do something (to someone) that is not at all expected.
He surprised her with a kiss.The blizzard surprised the whole town.
similar words:
amaze, catch
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: noun
definition: anything that was not expected.
My job promotion was a big surprise.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: surprisedly (adv.), surpriser (n.)
Word History
When it entered the English language from early French, surprise meant "to overtake."
Word Builder: surprise +
  • surprised:
    showing surprise.
  • surprising:
    causing surprise.
Word PartsSubscriber feature About this feature