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unexpected

un-ik-SPEK-tid/ʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd/

Noun pluralunexpecteds

2 meanings of unexpected

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Coming as a surprise, with no warning beforehand.

    Like opening your door and finding a friend you had no idea was coming.

    Her phone call was completely unexpected.

    We got an unexpected gift in the mail today.

    Similarunforeseen, surprising, sudden, unanticipated, unplanned

    Oppositeexpected, predictable, anticipated

  2. 2
    nounrarecountable or uncountable
    A person or thing that nobody saw coming.

    Like a wrapped box where you never know what is inside.

    A good captain always plans for the unexpected.

    We filled the party with surprises and plenty of the unexpected.

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Origin

It comes from "un-" (meaning "not") plus "expected."