suddenly
SUD-uhn-lee/ˈsʌdn̩li/
- 1In a manner that occurs quickly and with little or no warning.
The car ahead stopped suddenly, and he slammed on the brakes.
Stock prices climbed suddenly after the company released its earnings.
UsageUse sudden before a noun (a sudden stop) and suddenly with a verb (stopped suddenly).
Similarabruptly, unexpectedly, quickly, sharply
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Origin
From Middle English sodenly (also spelled sodeynly and sodeinliche); it is simply "sudden" combined with the ending "-ly".
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Suddenly derives from Middle English sodenly, also spelled sodeynly and sodeinliche. en.wiktionary.org
- The word consists of sudden plus the suffix -ly. en.wiktionary.org