sudden

SUD-uhn/ˈsʌdn̩/

Formssuddener, suddenest

5 meanings of sudden

Practice

1
adjective
Happening fast and without warning.
Like a flash of lightning that you don't see coming.
A sudden noise woke the whole house.
The car came to a sudden stop at the crossing.
Similarunexpected, abrupt, unforeseen, swift
Oppositegradual, expected, slow
Note
2
adverbliterary
In a quick way, without warning.
Like a candle that goes out all at once.
The light went out sudden, leaving the room black.
She turned sudden and ran for the gate.
Similarabruptly
Oppositegradually, slowly
Note
3
adjectiveobsolete
Made or done quickly, in a hurry.
Like a quick meal you throw together when guests show up.
The cook set a sudden supper before the unexpected guests.
Never was such a sudden scholar made.
c. 1599, William Shakespeare, Henry VHere, sudden means made quickly, in a hurry.
Note

Less common meanings

4
adjectiveobsolete
Acting in a hasty, rash way and quick to anger.
Like someone who gets angry fast and acts before thinking.
He was a sudden man, quick to draw his sword.
I have no joy of this contract to-night: / It is too rash, too unadvised, too sudden;
c. 1591, William Shakespeare, Romeo and JulietHere, sudden means hasty and rash.
Note
5
nounobsolete
Something surprising that happens without warning.
Like a surprise that no one saw coming.
The storm was a sudden, and no one had time to prepare.
Her arrival was a sudden that caught the household off guard.
Note

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Origin

It came from Old French "sodain" (sudden), which came from Latin "subitus" (sudden). This came from a Latin verb meaning "to come stealthily," made from "sub" (under) and "ire" (go).