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surprise party

American  

noun

  1. a party or celebration planned for someone as a surprise.

  2. 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

The couple also shared a joint Instagram post that featured several snapshots from their eventful trip, including close-ups of Harlow’s ring and her reaction to her surprise party.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2025

A D-Day veteran shot just 12 days after being flown into Normandy was treated to a surprise party in Suffolk for his 100th birthday.

From BBC • Jan. 13, 2024

It kind of felt like a surprise party, except none of my close friends were there.

From Salon • Dec. 16, 2023

So it was to be a surprise party.

From "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck

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.