surprisingly
Americanadverb
-
in a way that causes a feeling of wonder or astonishment.
The artist creates works that are both approachable and surprisingly sophisticated.
-
in a way that is seen as unlikely or unexpected.
Despite its geographic isolation and small population, Reykjavik is surprisingly cosmopolitan.
The phone has an impressive array of features, and yet is surprisingly affordable.
Other Word Forms
- unsurprisingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of surprisingly
Explanation
When something happens in a way that amazes you, use the adverb surprisingly, like when you find the kids at your new school to be surprisingly friendly. If a situation is surprising, it is completely unexpected — and you can say that it happens surprisingly. You might discover that the day is surprisingly warm, and you don't need your furry hat after all; or you may realize that college is surprisingly difficult after you breezed through high school. The French root word is surprise, "a taking unawares," which comes from surprendre, "to overtake." Surprisingly is surprisingly old, dating from the 1600's.
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.
Stromberg makes Calvin seem not only reasonable but surprisingly sensitive.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
The 2023 Barbie movie grossed over a billion worldwide, yet a surprisingly small share of its opening-weekend audience was under 18.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
A study published in ACS Environmental Science & Technology suggests that melamine sponges could be a surprisingly large source of microplastic pollution.
From Science Daily • Apr. 18, 2026
But for every poorly aged joke, there’s a gag or a bit of veiled social commentary that’s surprisingly progressive for its time.
From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026
Not surprisingly, though there were only twenty-eight rooms to let, the hotel always had at least a handful of vacancies.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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.
