unexpected

[ uhn-ik-spek-tid ]
See synonyms for unexpected on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. not expected; unforeseen; surprising: an unexpected pleasure;an unexpected development.

Origin of unexpected

1
First recorded in 1580–90; un-1 + expect + -ed2

synonym study For unexpected

See sudden.

Other words for unexpected

Other words from unexpected

  • un·ex·pect·ed·ly, adverb
  • un·ex·pect·ed·ness, noun

Words Nearby unexpected

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use unexpected in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unexpected

unexpected

/ (ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd) /


adjective
  1. surprising or unforeseen

Derived forms of unexpected

  • unexpectedly, adverb
  • unexpectedness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012