Meaning of surprise In English

• 0 an unexpected event:

  • Don't tell Anne we've arranged a party for her - I want it to be a surprise.

  • It was a wonderful/nasty surprise to get home and find the letter.

  • Last night's heavy snow came as a complete surprise.

  • You're always full of surprises (= doing unexpected things).

  • I wish you wouldn't keep springing surprises on me (= telling me unexpected things or causing unexpected things to happen).

  • They mounted a surprise attack at dawn.

  • My uncle paid us a surprise visit yesterday.

• 1 the feeling caused by something unexpected happening:

  • He looked at her in/with surprise.

  • To my great surprise, they agreed to all our demands.

• 2 to make someone feel surprise:

  • The news surprised everyone.

  • [ + that ] It doesn't surprise me that their parents don't want them to get married.

  • [ + to infinitive ] It will not surprise anyone to learn that the offer has been rejected.

  • [ + question word ] Janet was surprised how quickly the time passed.

  • The robbers had just opened the safe when they were surprised by the police.

  • [ + -ing verb ] His mother surprised him helping himself to her gin.

• 3 an unexpected event, or the feeling caused when something unexpected happens:

  • [ C ] Don’t tell Ann we’re having a party for her – I want it to be a surprise.

  • [ C ] Last night’s heavy snow came as a complete surprise.

  • [ U ] To my great surprise, they gave us everything we asked for.

• 4 (of an event you did not expect) to cause you to feel excitement over a sudden discovery:

  • She surprised a lot of tennis fans by winning the Canadian Open.

  • I’m not surprised that their parents don’t want them to get married.

  • I would not be surprised to see the economy slow down next year.

  • She jumped out and surprised her sister, who ran out into the hall.