Dictionary.com
definitions

unexpected

[uhn-ik-spek-tid]
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unexpected ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not expected; unforeseen; surprising: an unexpected pleasure; an unexpected development.

RELATED CONTENT

Is “Emergency” The Right Word To Describe What’s Happening At The Border?Many are wondering: Is "emergency" really the right word to describe what's happening at the border?
READ MORE
In Case Of vs. In the Event OfDo you break the glass in case of emergency or in the event of emergency? The phrases in case of and in the event of are both prepositions. The first one means if it should occur. The second means if or when something happens. A preposition is a word or phrase that shows a relationship between two elements in a clause. Some common prepositions are …
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

startling, accidental, unforeseen, wonderful, amazing, astonishing, unpredictable, stunning, sudden, abrupt, fortuitous, swift, unanticipated, chance, impetuous, impulsive, instantaneous, payback, prodigious, staggering

Nearby words

  1. unexceptionable,
  2. unexceptional,
  3. unexcited,
  4. unexciting,
  5. unexcusable,
  6. unexpendable,
  7. unexperienced,
  8. unexplainable,
  9. unexplained,
  10. unexploited

Origin of unexpected

First recorded in 1580–90; un-1 + expect + -ed2
Related formsun·ex·pect·ed·ly, adverbun·ex·pect·ed·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for unexpected

British Dictionary definitions for unexpected

unexpected

adjective

surprising or unforeseen
Derived Formsunexpectedly, adverbunexpectedness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for unexpected

unexpected

adj.

1580s, from un- (1) "not" + past participle of expect. Related: Unexpectedly.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper