surprise

Surprise means to encounter, capture or attack without warning.

(verb)

An example of surprise is hiding behind a corner and jumping out just as someone walks past.

Surprise is defined as to cause someone to feel amazed at something unexpected, do or say something unintentional.

(verb)

An example of surprise is organizing a birthday party for someone without them knowing about it.

The definition of a surprise is something unexpected or unusual.

(noun)

An example of surprise is an offer of marriage and a ring while on a hiking trip.

See surprise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly; take unawares
to attack or capture suddenly and without warning
1. to cause to feel wonder or astonishment by being unexpected
2. to present (someone) unexpectedly with a gift, etc.
1. to cause by some unexpected action to do or say something unintended: to surprise someone into an admission
2. to bring out or elicit by such means: to surprise an admission from someone

Origin: ME surprysen < OFr surpris, pp. of sorprendre, to surprise, take napping < sur- (see sur-) + prendre, to take (see prize)

noun

Now Rare the act of surprising or taking unawares
an unexpected seizure or attack
the state of being surprised; feeling aroused by something unusual or unexpected; wonder or astonishment
something that surprises because unexpected, unusual, etc.

Related Forms:

See surprise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb sur·prised, sur·pris·ing, sur·pris·es

To encounter suddenly or unexpectedly; take or catch unawares.
To attack or capture suddenly and without warning.
To cause to feel wonder, astonishment, or amazement, as at something unanticipated.
a. To cause (someone) to do or say something unintended.
b. To elicit or detect through surprise.

noun