Search results for 'surprise':

surprise noun 1 a sudden, unexpected, astounding, amazing, etc event, factor, gift, etc. 2 a feeling of mental disorientation caused by something of this nature. 3 a the act of catching someone unawares or off-guard; b the process of being caught unawares or off-guard. 4 as adj unexpected, sudden • a surprise party. verb (surprised, surprising) 1 to cause someone to experience surprise by presenting them with or subjecting them to something unexpected, amazing, etc • surprised her with a kiss. 2 to come upon something or someone unexpectedly or catch unawares. 3 to capture or attack with a sudden unexpected manoeuvre. surpriser noun. the surprise of one's life a very big shock or surprise. surprise, surprise! an exclamation indicating that something is or (ironic) is not a surprise. take someone by surprise to catch them unawares or off-guard • The news of the redundancies took everyone by surprise.
ETYMOLOGY: 15c: French, from surprendre, surpris.