sudden
[ suhd-n ]
/ ˈsʌd n /
adjective
adverb
Literary.
suddenly.
noun
Obsolete.
an unexpected occasion or occurrence.
Idioms for sudden
all of a sudden,
without warning; unexpectedly; suddenly.
Also on a sudden.
Origin of sudden
SYNONYMS FOR sudden
1, 2
unforeseen,
unanticipated.
Sudden,
unexpected,
abrupt describe acts, events, or conditions for which there has been no preparation or gradual approach.
Sudden refers to the quickness of an occurrence, although the event may have been expected:
a sudden change in the weather.
Unexpected emphasizes the lack of preparedness for what occurs or appears:
an unexpected crisis.
Abrupt characterizes something involving a swift adjustment; the effect is often unpleasant, unfavorable, or the cause of dismay:
He had an abrupt change in manner. The road came to an abrupt end.
OTHER WORDS FROM sudden
sud·den·ly, adverb sud·den·ness, nounWords nearby sudden
Example sentences from the Web for suddenly
British Dictionary definitions for suddenly (1 of 2)
suddenly
/ (ˈsʌdənlɪ) /
adverb
quickly and without warning; unexpectedly
British Dictionary definitions for suddenly (2 of 2)
sudden
/ (ˈsʌdən) /
adjective
occurring or performed quickly and without warning
marked by haste; abrupt
rare
rash; precipitate
noun
archaic
an abrupt occurrence or the occasion of such an occurrence (in the phrase on a sudden)
all of a sudden
without warning; unexpectedly
adverb
mainly poetic
without warning; suddenly
Derived forms of sudden
suddenness, nounWord Origin for sudden
C13: via French from Late Latin
subitāneus, from Latin
subitus unexpected, from
subīre to happen unexpectedly, from
sub- secretly +
īre to go
Idioms and Phrases with suddenly
sudden
see all of a sudden.