unexpected
gb/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/ us/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
B1
English
~ 8200
váratlan
B1
1
váratlan
B1
Usage pattern:
an unexpected [noun]; [something] is unexpected
The team's loss in the final was completely unexpected.
A csapat döntőbeli veresége teljesen váratlan volt.
We had some unexpected expenses after the car broke down.
Váratlan kiadásaink voltak, miután elromlott az autónk.
Her unexpected visit really brightened my day.
The experiment produced unexpected results that changed the whole project.
Due to unexpected circumstances, the meeting has been postponed.
Learner examples
The train stopped because of an unexpected problem.
A vonat egy váratlan probléma miatt állt meg.
I got an unexpected email from my old teacher.
Váratlan e-mailt kaptam a régi tanáromtól.
We had an unexpected visitor last night.
The movie had an unexpected ending.
They had to cancel the trip for unexpected reasons.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"I am unexpected"* when they mean *"I am surprised"*. "Unexpected" describes a thing, event, or situation, not a person’s feeling. Use "surprised" for feelings (e.g., "I am surprised"), and "unexpected" for what causes the feeling (e.g., "an unexpected call"). Learners also confuse "unexpected" with "sudden"; "unexpected" means you did not think it would happen, while "sudden" means it happened very quickly.
Meaning
not expected or predicted
Collocations
unexpected result
|unexpected visitor
|unexpected event
|unexpected news
|unexpected expense
|unexpected pregnancy
Synonyms
surprising (Focuses on the feeling of surprise; often a little stronger in emotional impact than "unexpected".)
|
unforeseen (More formal and often used in written or official contexts, especially about problems or costs.)
|
sudden (Emphasizes that something happens very quickly, not that it was unplanned or not expected.)
Antonyms
expected (Direct opposite; something people thought would happen or planned for.)
|
predictable (Opposite idea that something happens in a way that is easy to guess or see coming.)
|
planned (Opposite in terms of preparation; something arranged in advance rather than happening by surprise.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening without anyone thinking it would happen; a surprise.
Not expected, predicted, or planned; happening in a way that surprises people.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unexpected
IPA
GB/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
US/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
Syllables & stress
un - ex - pec - ted (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (pec)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unexpected
Word family
Core family
Advanced or less common
expectancy
noun B2
expectant
adjective
Expressions
an unexpected turn of events
1/ən ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd tˈɚn əv ɪvˈɛnts/
fixed phrase
a surprising change in situation
A change in a situation that nobody thought would happen.
Examples
- In an unexpected turn of events, the underdog team won the championship.
- The story takes an unexpected turn of events halfway through the movie.
expect the unexpected
1/ɪkspˈɛkt ðə ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
idiom
be ready for surprises
Be ready for things to happen that you do not plan or think about before.
Examples
- When you travel with small children, you should always expect the unexpected.
- In this job, we learn to expect the unexpected and stay calm under pressure.
prepare for the unexpected
1/pɹipˈɛɹ fɚ ðə ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
fixed phrase
get ready for surprises
Get ready in case something you do not plan happens.
Examples
- Good emergency training helps staff prepare for the unexpected.
- When starting a new business, you must prepare for the unexpected, both good and bad.