sudden
SUHD-uhn
Sudden (adj) means happening quickly, with little or no warning. Example: “Her sudden departure left everyone confused.”
adj
1
Happening quickly, with little or no warning.
"The sudden drop in temperature left everyone cold and confused."
"Her sudden departure left everyone confused."
"There was a sudden drop in temperature overnight."
"A sudden noise from the kitchen made everyone jump."
How to use sudden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening fast, without warning.
Common pairings
a sudden change
sudden death
all of a sudden
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Word forms
- Plural
- suddens
- Comparative
- suddener, more sudden
- Superlative
- suddenest, most sudden
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Can you complete this real example?
Her _____ departure left everyone confused.
Etymology
From Old French sodain, from Vulgar Latin subitanus, from Latin subitus, "that which has come stealthily" — the past participle of subire, "to steal up on," from sub- ("under") plus ire ("to go").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sudden” mean?
The word “sudden” means happening quickly, with little or no warning. In plain terms, happening fast, without warning.
How do you pronounce “sudden”?
“Sudden” is pronounced SUHD-uhn (/ˈsʌd.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “sudden” in a sentence?
Here is “sudden” used in a sentence: “Her sudden departure left everyone confused.”
What is another word for “sudden”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sudden” include precipitous, subitaneous, impetuous, impulsive, precipitant and precipitate.
What is the opposite of “sudden”?
The opposite of “sudden” — its antonyms — are gradual, unsudden and eventual.
What part of speech is “sudden”?
“Sudden” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sudden” come from?
The word “sudden” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French sodain, from Vulgar Latin subitanus, from Latin subitus, "that which has come stealthily" — the past participle of subire, "to steal up on," from sub- ("under") plus ire ("to go").
Is “sudden” a common word?
“Sudden” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the opposite of sudden?
The opposite is gradual, describing something that happens slowly, in stages, with plenty of warning. Other antonyms include expected, anticipated, and slow. Where "sudden" stresses speed and surprise, these words emphasise a steady, foreseeable unfolding that gives people time to prepare.
What does "all of a sudden" mean?
"All of a sudden" is a common idiom meaning something happened quickly and unexpectedly, without warning. For example, "All of a sudden, the lights went out." It simply intensifies the sense of surprise built into the word "sudden," emphasising that the event caught everyone off guard.
What is an example of something sudden?
A sudden downpour that starts without any cloud warning, a sudden change of plans, a sudden noise that makes you jump, or a sudden stop in traffic are all examples. Each shares the defining feature: it happens quickly, with little or no warning, catching people by surprise.
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