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

: sooner than was expected : at once

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

All of a sudden, from Pyromania onwards, so many women and girls came to our shows. —Joe Lynch, Billboard, 26 Apr. 2024

Their wealthy host and owner of the lavish castle met his sudden fate by the blade of a fencing foil. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 26 Apr. 2024

The show follows Vancouver homicide detective Tess Avery (Dolly Lewis), who, after experiencing sudden sight loss and becoming clinically blind, resigns from her position. —Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Apr. 2024

In Thank You, Goodnight, Sambora opens up about his sudden exit from Bon Jovi and its impact on the band. —Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 26 Apr. 2024

Inflation in the services sector has held stubbornly at 4 percent for the past few months, and geopolitical risks, such as the conflict in the Middle East, could have sudden and large economic ramifications. —Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2024

Immediately, Kuehl thought her sudden stroke of financial luck seemed unlikely. —Journal Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2024

Coastal forests in areas that had experienced sudden subsidence, dropping below sea level during the quake, were now inundated with seawater and ocean sediment. —Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

All of a sudden, three laughing spectators burst through the ceiling, demanding entertainment. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 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