definitions

unexpected

[ uhn-ik-spek-tid ]
/ ˌʌn ɪkˈspɛk tɪd /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR unexpected ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

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

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RELATED WORDS

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

Nearby words

unexceptionable, unexceptional, unexcited, unexciting, unexcusable, unexpected, unexpendable, unexperienced, unexplainable, unexplained, 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

/ (ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪd) /

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