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.
Soto says she missed her own surprise party.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
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
It kind of felt like a surprise party, except none of my close friends were there.
From Salon • Dec. 16, 2023
They watched Pigwidgeon disappear into the dark-ness, and then Ron said, “Well, we’d better get downstairs for your surprise party, Harry — Fred and George should have nicked enough food from the kitchens by now.”
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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.
