unexpected
gb/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/ us/ˌʌnɪkspˈɛktɪd/
B1
English
~ 8200
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
not expected or predicted
Happening without anyone thinking it would happen; a surprise.
Usage pattern:
an unexpected [noun]; [something] is unexpected
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.
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.)
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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.)
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predictable (Opposite idea that something happens in a way that is easy to guess or see coming.)
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planned (Opposite in terms of preparation; something arranged in advance rather than happening by surprise.)
Collocations
unexpected result
|unexpected visitor
|unexpected event
|unexpected news
|unexpected expense
|unexpected pregnancy
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The team's loss in the final was completely unexpected.
- We had some unexpected expenses after the car broke down.
- 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.
- I got an unexpected email from my old teacher.
- We had an unexpected visitor last night.
- The movie had an unexpected ending.
- They had to cancel the trip for unexpected reasons.
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.