sudden Hear it!

sudden Definition

sud·den (sud′'n)

adjective

    1. happening or coming unexpectedly; not foreseen or prepared for a sudden storm came up
    2. sharp or abrupt a sudden turn in the road
  2. done, coming, or taking place quickly or abruptly; hasty

Etymology: ME sodain < OFr < VL *subitanus, for L subitaneus, sudden, extended < subitus, pp. of subire, to approach, go stealthily < sub-, under + ire, to go or come: see year

sudden Related Forms

sud′·denly adverb sud′·den·ness noun

sudden Idioms

all of a sudden

suddenly; unexpectedly

sudden Synonyms

sudden

modif.

precipitate, abrupt, immediate, unexpected, unforeseen, swift, impromptu; see also immediate 1, unexpected.

sudden implies extreme quickness or hastiness and, usually, unexpectedness a sudden outburst of temper; precipitate adds the implication of rashness or lack of due deliberation a precipitate decision; abrupt implies an unexpected break coming without warning, often unceremoniously taken aback by his abrupt departure and it may suggest a curtness of speech an abrupt dismissal; impetuous implies vehement impulsiveness or extreme eagerness an impetuous suitor

all of a sudden

unexpectedly, suddenly, precipitously; see quickly 1.

sudden Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • relatively: This would be a relatively sudden and dramatic increase over and above the 730 billion metric tons already in the atmosphere.
  • rather: The décor, in rather sudden primary colors, befits the hotel's modernity and youthful appeal.
  • so: Because the eruption was so sudden, thousands were killed.
  • too: Meacher agreed, but he said that the price rise was too sudden and too high.
  • quite: Like I say, the move was all quite sudden and I only signed the contract less than a week ago.
  • very: A month later, very sudden my uncle mark was killed in a car crash in Ayr.

Modifies a noun

  • death: The game went to sudden death, first to score.
  • onset: The sudden onset of cold weather is probably the reason.
  • surge: This is what leads to the sudden surge in death rates.
  • burst: There was a sudden burst of gas from a side working in the five-feet seam.
  • influx: How else can a sudden influx of confidence in the face of serious illness be explained?
  • syndrome: Sudden infant death syndrome accounted for 42 cases, 4 fewer than in 1995.

Used with adjective complement

  • seem: I'd known they were moving for a long time, but it still seemed sudden.
  • cause: The effect is to cause sudden binding or grinding down of worm teeth.
  • make: She would also make sudden, unpredictable moves and call sharply on a number of students in turn to answer the same question.
  • come: A Dream Over known fields with an old friend in dream I walked, but came sudden to a strange stream.