surprise

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The feeling caused when something unexpected happens.

   Imagine my surprise when I won first prize.

2. 2
   noun

   Something unexpected.

   The party was a complete surprise.

3. 3
   verb

   To make someone feel surprise by doing or being something unexpected.

   It surprised me that the test was so easy.

4. 4
   verb

   To come upon or catch someone when they are not expecting it.

   They surprised their mother with a visit on her birthday.

Common collocations

• surprise hit Adjective + noun
• surprise visit Adjective + noun
• delightful surprise Adjective + noun

From Middle English surprise, borrowed from Middle French surprise (“an overtake”), nominal use of the past participle of Old French sorprendre (“to overtake”), from sor- (“over”) + prendre (“to take”), from Latin super- + Latin prendere, contracted from prehendere (“to grasp, seize”). Doublet of suppli.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images