Dictionary

surprise en · INTJ

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈsɜ(r)ˌprajs/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
• /səˈpɹaːz/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɒ̈ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɑ̟ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /səˈpɹaɪ̯z/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /sə(r)ˈprajs/ (South-Asia)
• /sɚˈpɹaɪ̯z/
• /sɚˈpɹaːz/

Etymology

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.

Meanings

1. Drawing attention to a surprising action by oneself.
   • "Surprise!" we shouted as we jumped out from the cupboard. "Happy birthday!"
2. (sarcastic) Drawing attention to something that should have been obvious.
   • When we add code modules, we will have an additional folder called (surprise!) Modules. 2013, John Connell, Beginning Visual Basic 6 Database Programming, page 129:

Forms

Translations (3)

kix ìe (expressing surprise, utters when one is surprised) · ru сюрпри́з (expressing surprise, utters when one is surprised) · bg изненада (expressing surprise, utters when one is surprised)

surprise en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈsɜ(r)ˌprajs/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
• /səˈpɹaːz/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɒ̈ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɑ̟ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /səˈpɹaɪ̯z/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /sə(r)ˈprajs/ (South-Asia)
• /sɚˈpɹaɪ̯z/
• /sɚˈpɹaːz/

Etymology

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.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Something unexpected.
   • She bought the model as a surprise gift for a friend who is a lifelong HST fan and railwayman, and who will soon be celebrating a milestone birthday. 2021 October 20, “Stop & Examine”, in RAIL, number 942, page 71:
   • Surprise! - A party! Awesome! 2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
   • England were graphically illustrating the huge gulf in class between the sides and it was no surprise when Lampard added the second just before the half hour. Steven Gerrard found his Liverpool team-mate Glen Johnson and Lampard arrived in the area with perfect timing to glide a header beyond Namasco. 2012 September 7, Phil McNulty, “Moldova 0-5 England”, in BBC Sport:
   • It came as a surprise when he succeed.
   • They had begun brightly but the opening goal was such a blow to their confidence it almost came as a surprise when Walcott, running through the inside-right channel, beat the offside trap and, checking back on to his left foot, turned a low shot beyond Allan McGregor in the Scotland goal. 2013 August 14, Daniel Taylor, “Rickie Lambert’s debut goal gives England victory over Scotland”, in The Guardian:
   • It was a surprise to find out I owed twice as much as I thought.
2. (countable, uncountable) Something unexpected. ▸ A mess of feces, left by a pet or small child in an unexpected place or at an unexpected time.
   • After the housecleaners drove off, the cat left a surprise for us on the carpet.
3. (countable, uncountable) The feeling that something unexpected has happened.
   • The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen.[…]The second note, the high alarum, not so familiar and always important since it indicates the paramount sin in Man’s private calendar, took most of them by surprise although they had been well prepared. 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC, page 249:
   • Imagine my surprise on learning I owed twice as much as I thought I did.

Forms

Antonyms

expectancy · expectation

Deriveds

nonsurprise · principle of least surprise · quel surprise · surpriseful · come as no surprise · surprise surprise · element of surprise · surprise lily · countersurprise · surprise test paradox · tomato surprise · take by surprise · surpriseless · surprise party · unsurprise · Surprise Bay · October surprise

Relateds

quelle surprise · surprising

Synonyms

more than one bargained for (something unexpected) · surprise · flabbergastment · flabbergastation · shock · stupefaction · give one a start (start) · astonishment (feeling) · bewilderment · awe · amazement · flabbergast · unexpected (attributively: unexpected)

Translations (156)

cmn 驚奇 /惊奇 (something not expected) · de Überraschung (something not expected) · ro surprindere (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · sq habi (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · hu ámulat (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · oc suspresa (something not expected) · nl verrassing (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ur حَیرَت (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ota شاشقینلق (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · cs překvapení (something not expected) · tr sürpriz (something not expected) · lv pārsteigums (something not expected) · it sorpresa (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ro surprindere (something not expected) · nn overrasking (something not expected) · fa-ira سورْپْریز (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · el έκπληξη (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ar دَهْشَة (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · mk изненадување (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · cmn 意外 (attributively: that is unexpected) · ka სიურპრიზი (something not expected) · ro surpriză (attributively: that is unexpected) · de Überraschung (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fa-ira سورْپِرایْز (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fi yllätys- (attributively: that is unexpected) · hi आश्चर्य (something not expected) · ta ஆச்சரியம் (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · cmn 驚訝 /惊讶 (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · hy անակնկալ (something not expected) · fa-ira تَعَجُّب (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ast sorpresa (something not expected) · el ξάφνιασμα (something not expected) · be здзіўле́нне (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fa-ira سورْپِریز (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · eo surprizo (something not expected) · hy զարմանք (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · tr sürpriz (attributively: that is unexpected) · cs překvapení (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · sv överraskning (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · pdt Äwarauschunk (something not expected) · hu meglepetésszerű (attributively: that is unexpected) · sk prekvapenie (something not expected) · sh iznenađénje (something not expected) · fa-ira سورْپِرایْز (something not expected) · hi विस्मय (something not expected) · ka გაკვირვება (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ur تَعَجُّب (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ga ionadh (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · mr आश्चर्य (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · vi bất ngờ (something not expected) · uk по́див (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fa-ira حِیْرَت (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · nl verrassing (something not expected) · he הַפְתָּעָה (something not expected) · sh изненађе́ње (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · az təəccüb (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · be зьдзіўле́ньне (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fr surprise (something not expected) · lt staigmena (something not expected) · et üllatus (something not expected) · ro surpriză (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · hu meglepetés (something not expected) · wa sbarmint (something not expected) · da overraskelse (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · es sorpresa (attributively: that is unexpected) · nl verrassings- (attributively: that is unexpected) · fi hämmästys (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · pl zdziwienie (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · de Überraschungs- (attributively: that is unexpected) · nl verbazing (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ru неожи́данность (something not expected) · cy syndod (something not expected) · wa ewaermint (something not expected) · fa-ira غافِلگیر (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · pl niespodzianka (something not expected) · sl presenečenje (something not expected) · oc suspresa (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · dsb pśechwatanje (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · sv förvåning (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · la inopīnātum (something not expected) · av тамашальи (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · uk сюрпри́з (something not expected) · nb overraskelse (something not expected) · uk здивува́ння (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · pt surpresa (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · be неспадзе́ўка (something not expected) · ja 驚き (something not expected) · fa-ira سورْپْرایْز (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ur حَیرَانْگِی (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fa-ira شِگِفْتزَدِه (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · dsb pśechwatanje (something not expected) · pt surpresa (attributively: that is unexpected) · el ξαφνικός (attributively: that is unexpected) · sq surprizë (something not expected) · lt nuostaba (something not expected) · sh iznenađénje (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · cmn 驚喜 /惊喜 (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ga ionadh (something not expected) · nl verbijstering (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · izh kummitus (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ar دَهْشَة (something not expected) · pl zaskoczenie (something not expected) · uk несподіва́нка (something not expected) · ko 놀라움 (something not expected) · sh изненађе́ње (something not expected) · ru удивле́ние (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · el αιφνίδιος (attributively: that is unexpected) · da overraskelses- (attributively: that is unexpected) · hu megdöbbenés (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · be сюрпры́з (something not expected) · gd iongnadh (something not expected) · ro surpriză (something not expected) · ar مُفَاجَأَة (something not expected) · mi urumaranga (attributively: that is unexpected) · fa-ira شِگِفْت (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · id kejutan (something not expected) · da overraskelse (something not expected) · sk prekvapenie (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ca sorpresa (something not expected) · bg изнена́да (something not expected) · sd اچرج (something not expected) · gl sorpresa (something not expected) · el έκπληξη (something not expected) · ca sorpresa (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · sv överraskning (something not expected) · sv överrasknings- (attributively: that is unexpected) · ru сюрпри́з (something not expected) · hy անակնկալ (attributively: that is unexpected) · fa-ira سورْپْریز (something not expected) · hu meglepődés (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · vi không ngờ (something not expected) · nb overraskelse (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · es sorpresa (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · it stupore (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fr surprise (attributively: that is unexpected) · fa-ira سورْپْرایْز (something not expected) · hu váratlan (attributively: that is unexpected) · mk изненадување (something not expected) · ms kejutan (something not expected) · nb overrasknings- (attributively: that is unexpected) · it sorpresa (something not expected) · ja 驚愕 (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ko 놀라움 (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ms mengejut (attributively: that is unexpected) · af verrassing (something not expected) · mi māharotanga (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · ar تَعَجُّب (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · bg удивле́ние (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · nb overraskelses- (attributively: that is unexpected) · fi yllätys (something not expected) · ja 驚き (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · pt surpresa (something not expected) · es sorpresa (something not expected) · sl presenečenje (feeling that something unexpected has happened) · fa-ira سورْپِریز (something not expected) · lb Iwwerraschung (something not expected)

surprise en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• /ˈsɜ(r)ˌprajs/ (South-Asia) spelling pronunciation
• /səˈpɹaːz/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɒ̈ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹɑ̟ɪ̯z/ (Australia, New-Zealand)
• /səˈpɹaɪ̯z/ r-dissimilation
• /sə(ː)ˈpɹaɪ̯z/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /sə(r)ˈprajs/ (South-Asia)
• /sɚˈpɹaɪ̯z/
• /sɚˈpɹaːz/

Etymology

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.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To cause (someone) to feel unusually alarmed or delighted by something unexpected.
   • It surprises me that I owe twice as much as I thought I did.
2. (transitive) To do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise.
   • My boss surprised me into admitting I left work early last week.
   • We surprised ourselves by reaching the mountaintop in under two hours.
   • He surprised me with flowers on our anniversary.
   • He doesn’t know that I’m in the country – I thought I’d turn up at his house and surprise him.
3. (intransitive) To undergo or witness something unexpected.
   • He doesn’t surprise easily.
4. (intransitive) To cause surprise.
5. (transitive) To attack unexpectedly.
6. (transitive) To take unawares.
   • "You were right," replied Isabella, "and I should not have surprised your confidence, had I not had something I wished to say. I know what you mean to do with Mr. Glentworth's gift—a marriage would scarcely be one without wedding-dresses—he has been equally generous to me, and you must keep the money till it is wanted, which, I hope, will be soon." 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter IX, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 112:
   • I surprised a raccoon scavenging through the garbage last night.

Forms

Deriveds

surprisement · surprisal · surprisable · surprisation · surpriser · unsurprise · resurprise

Synonyms

overtake (to come upon unexpectedly)

Translations (115)

sv överraska (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · ru удиви́ть (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · hy անակնկալի բերել (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · uk дивува́ти (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · da overraske (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · hy զարմացնել (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fr surprendre (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · hy զարմացնել (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · pl zaskakiwać (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · tr sürpriz yapmak (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · pt surpreender (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · it meravigliare (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ga cuir iontas ar (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · mk изненадува (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · cy synnu (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · mi ninihi (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · la stupefaciō (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · hu meglep (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fi hämmästyttää (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sv förvåna (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sv överraska (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · no overraske (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ar فَاجَأَ (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · uk зчудува́ти (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · az təəccübləndirmək (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fa شگفتزده ساختن (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ga cuir ionadh ar (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · no overraske (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · ro surprinde (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · bg изнена́двам (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · de wundern überraschen (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · de überraschen (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · cy syfrdannu (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · pl dziwić (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · es sorprender (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · vi ngạc nhiên (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · mk изненади (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · el αιφνιδιάζω (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · fi yllättää (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · io surprizar (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · pt surpreender (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · be дзіві́ць (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · cy dal ar y gamfa (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · ga breith amuigh ar (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · pl zaskoczyć (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · et üllatama (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · et üllatama (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fr faire une surprise à (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · ln kamwisa (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ru удивля́ть (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nl verrassen (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ja 驚かす (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nb ta på sengen (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · be здзіўля́ць (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · uk чудува́ти (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nb overrumple (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · tr şaşırtmak (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg изнена́дам (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · el ξαφνιάζω (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · ast sorprender (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · tr şaşırtmak (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · nl verrassen (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · bni kamwisa (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sk prekvapovať (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · mi komutu (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ru заста́ть враспло́х (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · fi yllättää (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · ga cuir ionadh ar (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · gl sorprender (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · af verras (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg заварвам неподготвен (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · la stupeō (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · pl zadziwić (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sk prekvapiť (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nb overraske (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · mi komutu (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · lt nustebinti (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · el ξαφνιάζω (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · da overraske (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nl verbazen (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · el κάνω έκπληξη (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · cs překvapit (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ar دَهِشَ (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ko 놀라게 하다 (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg изненадвам (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · te ఆశ్చర్యపరచు (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · nl verbijsteren (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · cs překvapovat (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · cmn 使吃驚 /使吃惊 (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg учу́дя (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg учу́двам (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · bg удивля́вам (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · it sorprendere (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · pt surpreender (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ar بَاغَتَ (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · uk здивува́ти (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · th ทำให้ประหลาดใจ (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ro surprinde (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fr étonner (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · mi ninihi (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · mi komutu (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · id mengejutkan (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · fa تعجب ساختن (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ga cuir iontas ar (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · el αιφνιδιάζω (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · eo surprizi (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · fi yllättää (to take unawares, to come on to something unexpectedly) · pl zdziwić (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · ca sorprendre (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · el εκπλήσσω (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sl presenetiti (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · sl presenetiti (do something to (a person) that they are not expecting, as a surprise) · bg удивя́ (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · be здзіві́ць (cause (someone) to feel surprise) · it stupire (cause (someone) to feel surprise)