surprise party
Americannoun
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a party or celebration planned for someone as a surprise.
-
something that surprises someone.
Etymology
Origin of surprise party
First recorded in 1835–45
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is a surprise party season for the Colts, who bounced back from a six-turnover stinkbomb to the Steelers a week ago.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025
Prince William went to see Mr Gardner at his home in Leeds, before taking him to the city's Headingley cricket ground for a surprise party with cricketing stars.
From BBC • Oct. 2, 2024
Kesha bought her a dress, told her to put on her heels and took her out to eat, where she’d planned a surprise party.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 17, 2022
Young and Watts had not seen each other for several years until Watts gave Young and his children a tour of facilities at USC a few days before the surprise party at the rental house.
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2022
A surprise party hosted by my family after my return from Rio.
From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.