sudden

1 of 2

adjective

sud·​den ˈsə-dᵊn 

1

a

: happening or coming unexpectedly

a sudden shower

b

: changing angle or character all at once

a sudden drop in the ocean bottom

2

: marked by or manifesting abruptness or haste

a sudden departure

3

: made or brought about in a short time : prompt

suddenly adverb

suddenness

ˈsə-dᵊn-(n)əs 

noun

sudden

2 of 2

noun

obsolete

: an unexpected occurrence : emergency

Phrases

all of a sudden or less commonly on a sudden

: very quickly in usually an unexpected way : in a sudden manner

Synonyms

Adjective

• abrupt
• unanticipated
• unexpected
• unforeseen
• unlooked-for

Choose the Right Synonym for sudden

precipitate, headlong, abrupt, impetuous, sudden mean showing undue haste or unexpectedness.

precipitate stresses lack of due deliberation and implies prematureness of action.

the army's precipitate withdrawal

headlong stresses rashness and lack of forethought.

a headlong flight from arrest

abrupt stresses curtness and a lack of warning or ceremony.

an abrupt refusal

impetuous stresses extreme impatience or impulsiveness.

an impetuous lover proposing marriage

sudden stresses unexpectedness and sharpness or violence of action.

flew into a sudden rage

Examples of sudden in a Sentence

Adjective

a sudden change in temperature

Sudden fame can be difficult to deal with.

She had a sudden urge to be outside.

His death was very sudden.

a sudden turn in the road

I was surprised by her sudden decision to quit.

The director's sudden departure leaves the organization's future uncertain.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

If travel is absolutely necessary, drive with extreme caution and be prepared for sudden changes in visibility. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

At the time, Variety reported the sudden move was likely a way for Warner Bros. Discovery to cut streaming-content costs. —Karu F. Daniels, New York Daily News, 14 Dec. 2024

And now, sudden regime change in neighboring Syria may sever Hezbollah's supply routes. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 13 Dec. 2024

The death of Josslyn’s sweetheart eerily resembles the circumstances surrounding the sudden passing of Monaco’s Sam McCall, who survived a liver transplant only to suffer an unrelated heart attack. —Michael Ausiello, TVLine, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sodain, from Anglo-French sudain, from Latin subitaneus, from subitus sudden, from past participle of subire to come up, from sub- up + ire to go — more at sub-, issue entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1558, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sudden

• all of a sudden
• on a sudden
• sudden death
• sudden infant death syndrome
• sudden victory

Video

'All over sudden' vs. 'All of a sudden'

Figuring it out at once

Kids Definition

sudden

adjective

sud·​den

ˈsəd-ᵊn

1

a

: happening or coming unexpectedly

a sudden shower

b

: changing angle or character all at once

a sudden turn in the road

2

: marked by or showing haste

a sudden decision

3

: made or brought about in a short time

a sudden cure

suddenly adverb

suddenness

ˈsəd-ᵊn-(n)əs

noun