unexpected

[uhn-ik-spek-tid]

See more synonyms for unexpected on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

Origin of unexpected

First recorded in 1580–90; un-¹ + expect + -ed²

Related formsun·ex·pect·ed·ly, adverbun·ex·pect·ed·ness, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for unexpected on Thesaurus.com

unanticipated. See sudden.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unexpectedly

Contemporary Examples

Small rooms off its graffiti-covered foyer provide shelter from the thick rain that can unexpectedly, and vengefully, hit.
The Congo's Forgotten Colonial Getaway
Nina Strochlic
December 18, 2014
Such photos generally blur into the sameness of routine, but this particular one is unexpectedly stirring.
The President and the Tow Truck Driver
Michael Daly
September 25, 2014
As the unexpectedly civil interaction continued, a woman toweled sweat off Johnson's head.
An Uneasy Peace Falls on Ferguson after Local Cops Called Off
Justin Glawe
August 15, 2014
Guardians of the Galaxy is a wonderful, funny, and unexpectedly fresh superhero movie.
'Guardians of the Galaxy' Is Not a Watershed Moment for Women
Kevin Fallon
August 4, 2014
In another episode, he unexpectedly unleashes a hilarious joke in a moment of darkness.
Stop Everything and Go Watch ‘Rectify'
Jason Lynch
June 19, 2014

Historical Examples

There was another listener at the lecture who was unexpectedly present.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
Then, unexpectedly, she bent her head against a chair-back and fell to silent crying.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
"I wonder if you would like to do a very kind thing," he said unexpectedly.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
Without any more talk, Hubert unexpectedly announced that he was going to Paris.
The Dream
Emile Zola
Mali-ya-bwana and, unexpectedly, a big Kavirondo of Kingozi's safari, volunteered.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for unexpectedly

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 unexpectedly

unexpected

adj.

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

unexpected

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}unexpected

Synonyms

Examples from the Web for unexpectedly

Contemporary Examples

Small rooms off its graffiti-covered foyer provide shelter from the thick rain that can unexpectedly, and vengefully, hit.

Such photos generally blur into the sameness of routine, but this particular one is unexpectedly stirring.

As the unexpectedly civil interaction continued, a woman toweled sweat off Johnson's head.

Guardians of the Galaxy is a wonderful, funny, and unexpectedly fresh superhero movie.

In another episode, he unexpectedly unleashes a hilarious joke in a moment of darkness.

Historical Examples

There was another listener at the lecture who was unexpectedly present.

Then, unexpectedly, she bent her head against a chair-back and fell to silent crying.

"I wonder if you would like to do a very kind thing," he said unexpectedly.

Without any more talk, Hubert unexpectedly announced that he was going to Paris.

Mali-ya-bwana and, unexpectedly, a big Kavirondo of Kingozi's safari, volunteered.

unexpected

Word Origin and History for unexpectedly

unexpected

adj.

Origin of unexpected