surprisingly
Americanadverb
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in a way that causes a feeling of wonder or astonishment.
The artist creates works that are both approachable and surprisingly sophisticated.
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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
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.
The answer to stagnation may be surprisingly basic: Build the builders.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
Among the biggest mysteries are the surprisingly low concentrations of dark matter found at the centers of some dwarf galaxies and the unexpectedly dense dark matter clumps inferred from strong gravitational lensing.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 14, 2026
Sir Keir and Trump had a surprisingly warm relationship from the start of the American president's second term.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
Electric vehicle batteries are proving to be surprisingly durable after years and hundreds of thousands of miles on the road—and readers have a lot to say about it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 12, 2026
It was a surprisingly new-looking door, modem and ill-fitting in a place that otherwise seemed so historic.
From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray
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.
