surprised
gb/səpɹˈaɪzd/ us/səpɹˈaɪzd/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
state
1
feeling sudden wonder or shock
Feeling or showing that something unexpected has happened.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is surprised [by/at something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'surprised' (adjective) with 'surprising' (adjective). 'Surprised' describes the person who feels the emotion; 'surprising' describes the thing that causes it.
Synonyms
astonished (Stronger and more intense feeling of amazement than 'surprised'.)
|
amazed (Similar in meaning but often expresses greater wonder or admiration.)
Antonyms
unsurprised (Indicates no feeling of shock or amazement at an event.)
|
expectant (Suggests anticipation rather than being caught off guard.)
Collocations
pleasantly surprised
|genuinely surprised
|look surprised
|sound surprised
|surprised expression
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was surprised to see him at the party.
- I was surprised by how good the movie was.
- They looked surprised when I told them the news.
- He seemed genuinely surprised by the results.
- We were all surprised at how quickly time passed.
Learner examples
- I am surprised to see you here.
- She looks surprised by the big gift.
- He is surprised at the loud noise.
- We are surprised by the test score.
- They are surprised to meet the famous singer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
surprised
IPA
GB/səpɹˈaɪzd/
US/səpɹˈaɪzd/
Syllables & stress
sur - prised (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prised)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: surprised
- Comparative: surpriseder
- Superlative: surprisedest
Word family
Forms
surpriseder
adjective
surprisedest
adjective
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unsurprised
adjective
unsurprising
adjective
unsurprisingly
adverb
Expressions
surprised by the results
1/səpɹˈaɪzd bˈaɪ ðə ɹɪzˈʌlts/
fixed phrase
unexpected reaction to results
Feeling something you did not expect when you see the results.
Examples
- We were all surprised by the results of the test.
- She was surprised by the results of the election.
surprised look
1/səpɹˈaɪzd lˈʊk/
fixed phrase
facial expression of surprise
The way someone's face looks when they feel surprise.
Examples
- He gave me a surprised look when I entered.
- Her surprised look made me laugh.
pleasantly surprised
1/plˈɛzəntli səpɹˈaɪzd/
fixed phrase
unexpectedly happy or satisfied
Feeling happy because something good and unexpected happened.
Examples
- I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food.
- She was pleasantly surprised to receive a promotion.
pleasantly surprised
2/plˈɛzəntli səpɹˈaɪzd/
fixed phrase
happy about an unexpected good result
Feeling happy because something turned out better than you thought it would.
Examples
- I was pleasantly surprised by how friendly everyone was.
- We were pleasantly surprised to find the hotel so clean and modern.
- She was pleasantly surprised when her shy student spoke up in class.