DictionaryAI

surprise

sur-PRYZ/sɚˈpɹaɪz/UKsuh-PRYZ/səˈpɹaɪz/

Pluralsurprises

Verbsurprises, surprising, surprised

8 meanings of surprise

Practice

  1. 1
    something unexpectednouncountable
    Something that happens when you do not expect it.

    Like opening a box and finding something you did not expect inside.

    The party was a complete surprise to her.

    Finding money in his old coat was a nice surprise.

    UsageSay it came as a surprise or it's no surprise.

    Similarshock, revelation, bombshell, eye-opener

  2. 2
    the feelingnoununcountable
    The feeling you get when something unexpected happens.

    Like the jump you feel when a friend shouts 'boo!' behind you.

    Her face showed surprise when she heard the news.

    He gasped in surprise at the loud bang.

    UsageSay to my surprise or in surprise.

    Similarastonishment, amazement, shock, wonder

  3. 3
    verbintransitive
    To make someone feel surprised because they did not expect something. Also, to feel that way.

    Her quick answers never surprise her parents anymore.

    The loud bang surprised everyone in the classroom.

    UsageSay I was surprised at it or surprised to hear it.

    Similarastonish, amaze, shock

  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To do something nice for someone that they do not know about ahead of time.

    Like planning a secret party so a friend walks in amazed.

    I want to surprise my parents by visiting this weekend.

    She surprised him with tickets to the game.

    UsageSay surprise someone with a gift.

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To catch or attack someone suddenly when they are not expecting it.

    The soldiers planned to surprise the enemy at dawn.

    Their forces surprised the camp during the night.

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    how predictableinterjection
    Said in a joking way to point out something everyone already expected.

    Surprise, surprise, he forgot his keys again.

    Oh, surprise, the printer is broken once more.

    UsagePeople often say it twice: Surprise, surprise, he's late again.

    Note
  2. 7
    interjection
    Said suddenly to point out something unexpected you have just done.

    Surprise! We made you a birthday cake!

    He flung open the door and shouted, 'Surprise!'

  3. 8
    pet messnouncountable
    A polite word for the mess a pet or small child leaves in the wrong place.

    Watch your step, because the puppy left a surprise on the rug.

    The new puppy left a little surprise on the kitchen floor.

    UsageSay the dog left a surprise.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of surprise apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It came through Middle English and Middle French from Old French sorprendre, meaning "to overtake," made from sor- ("over") plus prendre ("to take").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts