surprise party

noun

1. a party or celebration planned for someone as a surprise.
2. something that surprises someone.

Word History and Origins

Origin of surprise party¹

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

All of the changes have Gilbert thinking the season’s first Grand Slam could offer a shock or two and start the year by serving up a true surprise party.

From FiveThirtyEight

Or, after a surprise party greeting for Gloria goes awry, “Just a thought: maybe we should stop doing these.”

From The Daily Beast

Marilyn arrived very late, for the surprise party that was clearly not much of a surprise.

From The Daily Beast

“We could have a surprise party in Lake Como for Omar al-Bashir,” Clooney joked, referring to his Italian vacation home.

From The Daily Beast

From the day we are born, we are a surprise party”; “ Fiancé.

From The Daily Beast

Then she told about the surprise party and about all that had happened, and concluded by asking, "Mama, is it right to dance?"

From Project Gutenberg

This afternoon we got our things together to give our American Dip—short for diplomat—a surprise party at his rooms.

From Project Gutenberg

Whenever there was a picnic or a surprise party in the country she always furnished the ice cream.

From Project Gutenberg

No, but he was at the same surprise party I went to, and Peggy gave a mirthful glance in Carolyns direction.

From Project Gutenberg

With haff a dozen healthy mosquitoes springing a surprise party on me all night!

From Project Gutenberg