surprise
5 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
surprises
plural
surprises
Britannica Dictionary definition of SURPRISE
1
[count]
a
:
an unexpected event, piece of information, etc.
-
What a pleasant surprise to see you!
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It's no surprise that he doesn't want to go.
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Is it any surprise that she should feel disappointed?
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The news came as a (complete/total) surprise to everyone. [=everyone was surprised by the news]
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It came as no surprise to me. [=I was not surprised by it]
-
The teacher sprang a surprise on us and gave a pop quiz.
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They are in for a (big/real) surprise [=they are going to be very surprised] when they come home.
b
:
an unexpected gift, party, etc.
-
I have a special surprise for the children.
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The trip was a surprise for her birthday.
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Is the party a surprise?
2
[noncount]
:
the feeling caused by something that is unexpected or unusual
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She expressed surprise at their decision. [=she said that she was surprised by their decision]
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Imagine our surprise when they sold their house and moved to the Bahamas.
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Much to our surprise, she refused. [=we were very surprised when she refused]
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He stared at her in surprise.
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The attackers were relying on the element of surprise. [=they were relying on their attack being unexpected]
3
— used as an interjection
-
Surprise! Happy Birthday!
catch/take (someone or something) by surprise
1
:
to happen to (someone or something) unexpectedly
:
to surprise (someone or something)
-
The question caught him by surprise.
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The organization was taken completely by surprise by the announcement.
2
:
to attack, capture, or approach (someone or something) without warning
-
The enemy troops took us completely by surprise.
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Photographers caught the couple by surprise as they were leaving a restaurant.
surprise, surprise
informal
— used to say in a joking or ironic way that something is not surprising at all
-
“She's going to be late again.” “Surprise, surprise.”
2
surprise
/sɚˈpraɪz/
verb
surprises;
surprised;
surprising
2
surprise
/sɚˈpraɪz/
verb
surprises;
surprised;
surprising
Britannica Dictionary definition of SURPRISE
[+ object]
1
:
to cause (someone) to feel surprised
-
The results will surprise you.
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Nothing you could say would surprise me.
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They surprised everyone by moving to the Bahamas.
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He surprised her at work with a vase of flowers. [=he unexpectedly gave her a vase of flowers while she was at work]
2
:
to find, attack, or meet (someone or something) unexpectedly
-
A police officer surprised the burglars.
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The troops were surprised by an attack from the north.
3
surprise
/sɚˈpraɪz/
adjective
3
surprise
/sɚˈpraɪz/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of SURPRISE
always used before a noun
:
not expected
:
causing a feeling of surprise
-
a surprise best seller/success
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She made a surprise announcement/appearance at the concert.
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I got a surprise call/visit from the governor.
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We threw him a surprise party. [=we secretly planned a party for him and did not tell him about it until he arrived]
