sudden

[ suhd-n ]

See synonyms for: sudden suddenly suddenness on Thesaurus.com

adjective

happening, coming, made, or done quickly, without warning, or unexpectedly: a sudden attack.
occurring without transition from the previous form, state, etc.; abrupt: a sudden turn.

impetuous; rash.
Archaic. quickly made or provided.
Obsolete. unpremeditated.

adverb

Literary. without warning; suddenly.

noun

Obsolete. an unexpected occasion or occurrence.

Idioms about sudden

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

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; see origin at subito,-an, -eous

synonym study For sudden

1, 2. 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 words for sudden

1, 2	unforeseen, unanticipated

See synonyms for sudden on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for sudden

1, 2	gradual, foreseen

See antonyms for sudden on Thesaurus.com

Other words from sudden

sud·den·ly, adverb
sud·den·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sudden in a sentence

Especially troubling, myocarditis can cause a rare condition known as sudden heart failure.
Teen athletes with even mild COVID-19 can develop heart problems | Partho Sengupta | November 18, 2020 | Science News For Students
I also think this is a trend because there’s been a sudden shift in which networks are really important.
Why so many valuable startups seem like the dumbest idea at first | Lucinda Shen | November 13, 2020 | Fortune
“All of a sudden, he was in my space, and I didn’t like it so much,” says LaVonia, 74.
Sharing a home office with your partner? Here’s how to keep the peace. | Amanda Long | November 12, 2020 | Washington Post
This morning some PlayStation 4 owners are reporting the sudden and unexpected arrival of a new “PS5 Remote Play” app.
The PlayStation 4 will be able to play PlayStation 5 games remotely | Greg Kumparak | November 9, 2020 | TechCrunch
There have also been several disputed claims that sudden increases in votes for one candidate indicate voter fraud.
Five election misinformation campaigns to avoid resharing | By Starbird, West, & DiResta/The Conversation | November 6, 2020 | Popular-Science

And so, with a surprising suddenness, it has recently bloomed up among Republicans and Democrats alike.
Lobbyist Derangement Syndrome Sweeps DC | James Poulos | August 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But it was the suddenness of his proposal to Megan upon arriving back in New York that had even her gasping with surprise.
Mad Men's 12 Most Memorable Moments | Jace Lacob | October 18, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
The suddenness of Sarah Palin's resignation Friday raises the question about whether Palin is leaving to avert a major scandal.
Did a Scandal Sink the U.S.S. Palin? | Max Blumenthal | July 3, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
What does seem strange is the apparent suddenness of the event.
Where Is Flight 447? | Clive Irving | June 1, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
And then with a startling suddenness came the thought that, before now, men had been drowned in their baths!
Uncanny Tales | Various
He reached over, with astonishing suddenness in one so bulky, and twirled the secretary about with his ham of a hand.
Scattergood Baines | Clarence Budington Kelland
The mother, astonished at the suddenness of her choice, inquired what had actuated it. '
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence Hartley
Then, with almost startling suddenness, a highly intellectual animal appeared.
Man And His Ancestor | Charles Morris
And so they were caught fairly and squarely by the deluge that swept upon them with a bewildering suddenness.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle | Laura Lee Hope

British Dictionary definitions for sudden

sudden

/ (ˈsʌdən) /

adjective

occurring or performed quickly and without warning
marked by haste; abrupt

rare rash; precipitate

noun

archaic an abrupt occurrence or the occasion of such an occurrence (in the phrase on a sudden)
all of a sudden without warning; unexpectedly

adverb

mainly poetic without warning; suddenly

Origin of sudden

C13: via French from Late Latin subitāneus, from Latin subitus unexpected, from subīre to happen unexpectedly, from sub- secretly + īre to go

Derived forms of sudden

suddenness, 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

Other Idioms and Phrases with sudden

sudden

see all of a sudden.

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