unexpected

[uhn-ik-spek-tid]

adjective

1. not expected; unforeseen; surprising.

   an unexpected pleasure;

   an unexpected development.

unexpected

/ ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd /

adjective

1. surprising or unforeseen

Other Word Forms

• unexpectedly adverb
• unexpectedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unexpected¹

First recorded in 1580–90; un- ¹ + expect + -ed ²

Synonym Study

See sudden.

Example Sentences

McLaren team chief Andrea Stella explained that the disqualification of both cars, for excessive wear of the skid blocks, was a result of an unexpected level of "porpoising... exacerbated by the conditions" in Nevada.

Read more on Barron's

The entire series, written by the clever Ben Elton, extrapolated what little is known about the Bard into an ingenious series of perfectly plausible comic dilemmas, and an occasional unexpected dramatic one.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"It was clear from the data that the level of unexpected porpoising would be a concern," Stella said.

Read more on BBC

The scientific study produced an unexpected discovery which the team describe as "totally dissimilar to anything else we've uncovered".

Read more on BBC

"For the players, for me. I don't easily shock and it's very unexpected. We can all do better individually, but that goes for everyone including myself."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abrupt 
• accidental 
• amazing 
• astonishing 
• fortuitous 
• startling 
• stunning 
• sudden 
• swift 
• unanticipated 
• unforeseen 
• unpredictable 
• wonderful