surprising
gb/səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/ us/səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/
B1
English
~ 2500
meglepő
B1
1
meglepő
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is surprising
It’s surprising how quickly the weather can change here.
Meglepő, milyen gyorsan meg tud itt változni az időjárás.
The results of the study were surprising to many experts.
A tanulmány eredményei sok szakértő számára meglepőek voltak.
I found it surprising that she didn’t enjoy the movie.
His sudden decision to quit was quite surprising.
The most surprising part of the trip was meeting an old friend.
Learner examples
It is surprising to see snow in April.
Meglepő áprilisban havat látni.
The game had a surprising ending.
A játéknak meglepő vége volt.
Her answer was surprising to me.
It was surprising that he spoke Japanese.
The news this morning was surprising.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprising' (describes the thing) with 'surprised' (describes the person). For example, 'I am surprising' is incorrect when you mean 'I am surprised'.
Meaning
causing shock or amazement
Collocations
quite surprising
|really surprising
|surprising result
|surprising fact
|surprising news
Synonyms
astonishing (Slightly stronger and more formal than 'surprising', often used for remarkable events.)
|
unexpected (Focuses on the fact that something was not predicted, without necessarily implying amazement.)
Antonyms
unsurprising (Direct opposite, meaning something is expected and not shocking.)
|
predictable (Implies that the outcome was easy to guess and held no surprise.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making someone feel shocked or amazed because it is not what they thought would happen.
Causing someone to feel shock, amazement, or wonder because it is not expected.
Grammar
Dictionary form
surprising
IPA
GB/səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/
US/səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
sur - pris - ing (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pris)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: surprising
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unsurprising
adjective
unsurprisingly
adverb
unsurprised
adjective
Expressions
it’s not surprising that
1/ˈɪts nˈɑt səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ ðˈæt/
fixed phrase
something is expected or understandable
Used to say that something is normal or easy to understand in the situation.
Examples
- It’s not surprising that he’s tired after working all night.
- Given the heavy rain, it’s not surprising that the match was canceled.
not entirely surprising
1/nˈɑt ɪntˈaɪɚli səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/
fixed phrase
partly expected outcome
Used to say that something is not fully unexpected.
Examples
- His reaction was not entirely surprising given the circumstances.
- It’s not entirely surprising that sales dropped after the price increase.
what’s surprising is
1/wˈʌts səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ ˈɪz/
fixed phrase
introducing unexpected detail
Used to show the part of a situation that is most unexpected.
Examples
- What’s surprising is how calm she stayed during the crisis.
- What’s surprising is that no one else noticed the mistake.