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
Becker remembers employees’ birthdays with gifts or, in the case of Biltmore public relations director Victoria King, with a surprise party on Tuesday night at a Mexican restaurant.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2024
It kind of felt like a surprise party, except none of my close friends were there.
From Salon • Dec. 16, 2023
"Since you spilled the beans about Marcy Rubin's surprise party," Kendra said.
From "Scream for Ice Cream: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #2" by Carolyn Keene
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.
