- [countable] an event, a piece of news, etc. that is unexpected or that happens suddenly
- What a nice surprise!
- I have a surprise for you!
- a surprise attack
- There are few surprises in this year's budget.
- It comes as no surprise to learn that they broke their promises.
- Her letter came as a complete surprise.
- ‘The appointment came as a pleasant surprise to me,’ she says.
- The announcements came as something of a surprise to them.
- There are lots of surprises in store for visitors to the gallery.
- He was there on a surprise visit to the troops.
- Life’s full of surprises.
- She likes springing surprises on people.
- Visitors to the gallery are in for a few surprises.
Extra Examples- I had a lovely surprise when I saw Mark there.
- It was a complete surprise for me.
- His refusal came as no surprise to his boss.
- Johnson sprung a surprise by beating the favourite in the first round.
- Roach was the surprise winner of the £10 000 first prize.
- She feels that the future holds few surprises.
- They launched a surprise attack on the Russian fleet.
- Your mother's in for a bit of a surprise when she gets home.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- complete
- genuine
- …
- be
- come as
- get
- …
- announcement
- appearance
- party
- …
- surprise for
- surprise to
- a bit of a surprise
- quite a surprise
- hold few, many, no, etc. surprises
- …
- [uncountable, countable] a feeling caused by something happening suddenly or unexpectedly
- a look of surprise
- in surprise She looked up in surprise.
- surprise at something He gasped with surprise at her strength.
- surprise at seeing, hearing, etc. They couldn't conceal their surprise at seeing us together.
- I got a surprise when I saw the bill.
- to somebody's surprise To everyone's surprise, the plan succeeded.
- Much to my surprise, I passed.
- Imagine our surprise when he walked into the room!
- When we went inside we got a nasty surprise.
- The decision has been greeted with surprise.
- They expressed surprise at the outcome.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsa2- He feigned surprise when I went up and said hello.
- His eyebrows rose in mock surprise.
- It was with some surprise that I read of his resignation.
- She showed no surprise at the news.
- She was quick to hide her surprise.
- Much to her surprise she enjoyed the party.
- The president's remarks caused surprise and embarrassment.
- After the initial surprise I got to like the place.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- total
- utter
- …
- express
- register
- show
- …
- in surprise
- to somebody’s surprise
- with surprise
- …
- an expression of surprise
- a look of surprise
- a gasp of surprise
- …
- [uncountable] the use of methods that cause feelings of surprise
- A successful campaign should have an element of surprise.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- total
- utter
- …
- express
- register
- show
- …
- in surprise
- to somebody’s surprise
- with surprise
- …
- an expression of surprise
- a look of surprise
- a gasp of surprise
- …
Word Originlate Middle English (in the sense ‘unexpected seizure of a place, or attack on troops’): from Old French, feminine past participle of surprendre, from medieval Latin superprehendere ‘seize’.
Idioms
See surprise in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee surprise in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishsurprise, surprise (informal)
- (ironic, often disapproving) used to show that something is not a surprise to you, as you could easily have predicted that it would happen or be true
- One of the candidates was the manager's niece, and surprise, surprise, she got the job.
- Bob turned up half an hour late, surprise surprise.
- used when giving somebody a surprise
- Surprise, surprise! Look who's here!
take somebody by surprise
- to happen unexpectedly so that somebody is slightly shocked; to surprise somebody
- His frankness took her by surprise.
- The storm took us completely by surprise.
take somebody/something by surprise
- to attack or capture somebody/something unexpectedly or without warning
- The police took the burglars by surprise.
Check pronunciation:
surprise