unexpectedly

American  

[uhn-ik-spek-tid-lee] / ˌʌn ɪkˈspɛk tɪd li /

adverb

1. in a way that is surprising or unforeseen.

   One of her friends passed away unexpectedly this week.

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Etymology

Origin of unexpectedly

unexpected ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When something happens unexpectedly, it takes you by surprise because you weren’t prepared for it, like a surprise party or a sudden rainstorm on a sunny day. The adverb unexpectedly comes from the word unexpected, which means "something that wasn’t anticipated or planned." When something happens unexpectedly, it catches you off guard and can lead to a range of emotions, like surprise, excitement, or even confusion. For example, you might unexpectedly bump into an old friend at the grocery store or receive an unexpected gift in the mail, creating a memorable moment.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

unexpectedly

Abbott replaces interim director Ann Goldstein, who stepped in last July when Johanna Burton left somewhat unexpectedly for the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026

Her mother Ginger also died unexpectedly five days earlier at the age of nine.

From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2026

U.S. crude oil inventories rose unexpectedly last week as refineries ran at a slower pace and net imports increased, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 23, 2026

But, as predicted by the CAPM, they will perform especially poorly if the earnings reported during that week turn out to be unexpectedly poor.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026

In revenge, Peter and I stuck two hard brushes in his bed, but had to take them out again when Dussel unexpectedly decided to go sit in his room.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

Related Words

• quickly
• suddenly
• unusually