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surprise

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noun

/sə(r)ˈpraɪz/

singular	surprise
plural	surprises

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

Expressing yourself

1
[countable] an unusual or unexpected event
There were few surprises at Wimbledon this year.
come as a surprise:
Holman's arrest came as a surprise to the entire community.
come as no surprise:
Given the dismal sales performance, the change of management came as no surprise.
surprises in store (=unexpected things that will happen in the future):
Let's hope there are no more unpleasant surprises in store for us.
be in for a surprise:
The players could be in for a surprise if they expect an easy victory.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
1. a.
  news or information that seems unusual or unexpected
  I never knew Sheila had been married – that was a real surprise.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
2. b.
  [only before noun] happening unexpectedly
  Henderson led the team to a surprise win in the final.
  They keep the room ready for surprise visitors.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
2
[uncountable] the feeling you have when something unusual or unexpected happens
Many students expressed surprise at the news.
(much) to someone's surprise:
Much to my surprise, the restaurant was actually very nice.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
3
[countable] a present that you are not expecting to receive
I got you a little surprise for your birthday.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise

phrases

surprise, surprise
used in a humorous way for saying that something is exactly what you expected or should have expected
He gave his son a job and surprise, surprise, in six months he became a director.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
take/catch someone by surprise
1. 1
  to happen unexpectedly
  The storm caught the fishermen completely by surprise.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
2. 2
  to attack, catch, or find someone when they do not expect it
  Protesters marched into the governor's office, taking security forces by surprise.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise
3. 3
  to shock someone by unexpected behaviour
  The violence of his language took us all by surprise.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of surprise

Expressing yourself: surprise

Ways of expressing surprise

Goodness!/Good heavens!/(Oh) my God	used for showing that you are surprised
Good grief!	used for showing that you are surprised, especially when you are not pleased
Never/Well I never/Well, well/Really?	an informal way of saying that what someone has just said is very surprising
No way!/You're joking!/You're kidding!	used for emphasizing that what someone has just said is so surprising that you can't believe it
I can't/don't believe it!	used for emphasizing that something that has just happened is so surprising that you can't believe it
Believe it or not/Oddly enough/Funnily enough	used for emphasizing that what you are about to tell someone is surprising but true
Who would have thought ...?	used for saying that something is so surprising that no one could have expected it

Examples:

Good heavens! Is that the time already? I promised to be home by five! ♦ 'We're getting married.' 'Oh my God, I can't believe it!'

Good grief! Twenty pounds for a taxi to the city centre? That's outrageous!

'Jo's head of department now.' 'Really? She only joined the company a year ago.'

'My dad's bought two tickets for the World Cup.' 'No way! That's fantastic!'

I don't believe it! I passed all my exams!

Believe it or not, this shabby old desk is a collector's item. ♦ Oddly enough, I was just about to call you when the phone rang.

Who would have thought he'd get married again at 80?

This is the British English definition of surprise. View American English definition of surprise.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for surprise.

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