surprise

surprise — noun

1. Something that happens that you did not expect to happen — for example, a party

1.nounA2
Definition

Something that happens that you did not expect to happen — for example, a party arranged for you without your knowledge, or a sudden piece of news that changes your plans.

Example

The party was a complete surprise — Linh had no idea her friends were planning it.

collocation: complete surprise

A surprise awaited the children when they opened the classroom door.

Common collocations
  • complete surprise
  • nice surprise
  • big surprise
  • come as a surprise
  • take someone by surprise
  • surprise party
  • surprise visit
  • surprise announcement
Synonyms
  • shock

    stronger and more negative; implies sudden upset

  • bolt from the blue

    idiomatic, dramatic, and less common in everyday speech

Antonyms
  • expectation

    what you believe will happen, rather than what you do not see coming

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'come as a surprise (to someone)' or 'be a surprise'.

Common Mistakes

The news was a big surprising.
The news was a big surprise.
'surprise' (noun) is needed, not 'surprising' (adjective).
I have a surprise for you' when describing a planned reveal before the event.
I have a surprise for you
this is correct; 'surprise' can refer to something planned in secret, not only to unexpected events.

2. The emotional reaction you have — often a mix of shock, curiosity, or pleasure —

2.nounB2
Definition

The emotional reaction you have — often a mix of shock, curiosity, or pleasure — when something unexpected happens.

Example

To her surprise, Dahlia found the exam much easier than she had expected.

pattern: to [possessive] surprise

Heather gasped in surprise when she saw the sunset over the desert.

Common collocations
  • in surprise
  • to someone's surprise
  • much to someone's surprise
  • with surprise
  • out of surprise
  • a look of surprise
  • a gasp of surprise
Synonyms
  • astonishment

    stronger and more formal

  • amazement

    suggests wonder and admiration rather than shock

  • shock

    more negative; suggests upset or disturbance

Antonyms

Usage Note

Common in fixed phrases such as 'to someone's surprise', 'in surprise', and 'much to someone's surprise'. This sense is uncountable — do not say 'a surprise' when you mean the feeling.

Common Mistakes

She looked at me with a great surprise.
She looked at me with great surprise.
When referring to the feeling (uncountable), do not add 'a' before it.
Idioms

surprise, surprise

idiom

Used to say that something was easy to guess or expect.

The rich kid won the race, surprise surprise.

Surprise, surprise! The lazy student didn't do his homework.

take somebody by surprise

idiom

To happen when someone is not ready for it, causing shock.

The sudden rain took the hikers by surprise.

Did the news of her promotion take you by surprise?

take somebody/something by surprise

idiom

To attack or capture someone or something when they are not expecting it.

The soldiers took the enemy camp by surprise at dawn.

The cat took the mouse by surprise and caught it quickly.

surprise — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe reactions to something unexpected, but they differ in strength and tone. A 'surprise' can be pleasant or neutral — a surprise party, a surprise gift. A 'shock' is nearly always negative and stronger: finding out you have lost your job is a shock, not a surprise. 'Astonishment' carries a sense of wonder at something hard to believe, such as witnessing a record-breaking performance. 'Amazement' is the most positive of the four, focusing on admiration rather than fear — for example, watching a child take their first steps fills parents with amazement, not surprise. In everyday conversation, 'surprise' is by far the most common word; the others are more formal or dramatic. If you are writing an email, 'surprise' fits most situations. If you are describing a miracle or a stunning achievement, 'amazement' or 'astonishment' would be more vivid.

surprise ↗shock ↗astonishment ↗amazement ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • take someone by surprise
  • come as a surprise
  • catch someone by surprise

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle FrenchEnglish

'Surprise' entered English in the 1400s from Old French 'surprendre', meaning 'to overtake' or 'to seize'. The French word is made up of 'sur-' ('over, above') and 'prendre' ('to take'). The original idea was to be 'taken over' by something unexpected — the same image shows in the modern sense of being caught off guard. By the 1600s, the word was already used for both the event and the feeling it produces.