surprise
gb/səpɹˈaɪz/ us/səpɹˈaɪz/
A2
English
~ 1900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
event
1
Unexpected event or fact
Something that happens suddenly and is not expected, often making you feel amazed or shocked.
Usage pattern:
a [pleasant/unpleasant] surprise
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprise' (noun) with 'surprised' (adjective), using the wrong form in sentences.
Synonyms
shock (Often stronger or more negative in emotional impact than 'surprise'.)
Antonyms
expectation (The state of knowing or believing something will happen, opposite to being surprised.)
Collocations
pleasant surprise
|big surprise
|shock and surprise
|to one's surprise
|complete surprise
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her visit was a complete surprise to everyone.
- It was a pleasant surprise to see him at the party.
- The news came as a big surprise to the community.
- To my surprise, the test was easy.
- His sudden resignation took everyone by surprise.
Learner examples
- The gift was a nice surprise.
- It was a surprise to see my friend.
- The rain was a surprise today.
- I have a surprise for you.
- She had a big surprise for her family.
Verb
A2
action
2
Cause someone astonishment
To make someone feel something unexpected, like amazement or shock.
Usage pattern:
to surprise [someone] with [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprise' (verb) with 'surprised' (adjective), especially in past tense forms.
Synonyms
astonish ('Astonish' is more formal and often suggests a stronger effect.)
Antonyms
predict (If something can be predicted, it will not surprise someone.)
Collocations
surprise party
|surprise visit
|surprise announcement
|surprise attack
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They surprised her with a birthday cake.
- His answer surprised me.
- The ending of the movie will surprise you.
- She surprised her parents by coming home early.
- The teacher surprised the class with no homework.
Learner examples
- I want to surprise my friend.
- The news will surprise you.
- He surprised his mother with flowers.
- They surprised us with a visit.
- We surprised him at his job.
Noun
B1
event
3
Unexpected military attack
A sudden attack on an enemy without warning.
Synonyms
ambush ('Ambush' usually refers to an attack from a hidden position rather than any unexpected attack.)
Antonyms
planned offensive (A military action that is prepared and announced in advance.)
Collocations
surprise attack
|element of surprise
Themes
military
|politics
|law
Examples
- The army launched a surprise at dawn.
- They relied on the element of surprise to win the battle.
- The town fell after a surprise attack by enemy forces.
Learner examples
- The soldiers made a surprise attack.
- They used a surprise to win the fight.
- The enemy did not expect the surprise.
Grammar
Dictionary form
surprise
IPA
GB/səpɹˈaɪz/
US/səpɹˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
sur - prise (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prise)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: surprise
- Plural: surprise, surprises
Verb
- Base: surprise
- 3rd Person Singular: surprises
- Present Participle: surprising
- Past: surprised
Word family
Forms
Core family
surprisingly
adverb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unsurprising
adjective
unsurprisingly
adverb
Expressions
a bolt from the blue
1/ə bˈoʊlt fɹˈʌm ðə blˈu/
idiom
Sudden and unexpected event
Something that happens suddenly and without warning, often shocking people.
Examples
- His resignation was a bolt from the blue.
- The news of their divorce came like a bolt from the blue.
full of surprises
1/fˈʊl əv səpɹˈaɪzɪz/
fixed phrase
Having many unexpected aspects
When something or someone keeps doing things you do not expect.
Examples
- Life is full of surprises.
- She is full of surprises; you never know what she'll do next.
spring a surprise (on someone)
1/spɹˈɪŋ ə səpɹˈaɪz ˈɔn sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Present an unexpected event or fact
To give or tell someone something they do not expect.
Examples
- They sprang a surprise on him at the meeting.
- The teacher sprang a surprise quiz on us.
take someone by surprise
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn bˈaɪ səpɹˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Affect someone unexpectedly
To happen when someone is not ready and make them feel shocked or amazed.
Examples
- Her sudden question took me by surprise.
- The storm took the fishermen by surprise.