sudden

American  

[suhd-n] / ˈsʌd n /

adjective

1. happening, coming, made, or done quickly, without warning, or unexpectedly.

   a sudden attack.

   Antonyms:

   gradual

2. occurring without transition from the previous form, state, etc.; abrupt.

   a sudden turn.

   Antonyms:

   gradual

3. impetuous; rash.

4. Archaic. quickly made or provided.

5. Obsolete. unpremeditated.

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adverb

1. Literary. without warning; suddenly.

noun

1. Obsolete. an unexpected occasion or occurrence.

idioms

1. all of a sudden, without warning; unexpectedly; suddenly. Also on a sudden

sudden British  

/ ˈsʌdən /

adjective

1. occurring or performed quickly and without warning

2. marked by haste; abrupt

3. rare rash; precipitate

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noun

1. archaic an abrupt occurrence or the occasion of such an occurrence (in the phrase on a sudden )

2. without warning; unexpectedly

adverb

1. poetic without warning; suddenly

sudden More Idioms  

1. see all of a sudden.

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Related Words

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 Word Forms

• suddenly adverb
• suddenness noun

Etymology

Origin of sudden

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English adjective and adverb sodain, soden, sodan(e), from Middle French soudain, from Vulgar Latin subitānus, from Latin subitāneus “going or coming stealthily,” equivalent to subitus “sudden, arising without warning” + -āneus composite adjective suffix, equivalent to -ānus + -eus; subito, -an, -eous

Example Sentences

These changes demand a sudden and significant rise in energy production.

From Science Daily

Authorities are investigating the sudden deaths of a Central Coast couple who pioneered California’s coffee-growing movement from their Santa Barbara County farm.

From Los Angeles Times

“All of a sudden, I was given a press release with a quotation by myself written in it, and asked to just agree to it,” Pazdur said in an interview with The Wall Street Journal.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the economy grows increasingly reliant on spending by the very wealthy, it has also become more vulnerable to a sudden downward correction in share prices.

From BBC

Tens of thousands of live cases have been impacted by the sudden closure of a major law firm, it has been revealed.

From BBC

Related Words

• abrupt
• hasty
• immediate
• precipitous
• quick
• rapid
• swift
• unforeseen
• unusual