unexpectedly
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of unexpectedly
Explanation
When something happens unexpectedly, it takes you by surprise because you weren’t prepared for it, like a surprise party or a sudden rainstorm on a sunny day. The adverb unexpectedly comes from the word unexpected, which means "something that wasn’t anticipated or planned." When something happens unexpectedly, it catches you off guard and can lead to a range of emotions, like surprise, excitement, or even confusion. For example, you might unexpectedly bump into an old friend at the grocery store or receive an unexpected gift in the mail, creating a memorable moment.
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 Total Eclipse of the Heart singer died "unexpectedly" on 8 July, aged 75, at a hospital in Portugal.
From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026
Webb has detected unexpectedly massive objects in the early Universe, including sources sometimes described as "little red dots."
From Science Daily ● Aug. 11, 2026
The singer died unexpectedly at age 48 in 2012.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2026
The economy unexpectedly lost 23,000 jobs in July, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
“When you woke up, you didn’t seem to remember it. We didn’t want you to come upon something unexpectedly and have a setback.”
From "The Adoration of Jenna Fox" by Mary E. Pearson
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.
