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suddenly - 2 dictionary results
sud⋅den
[suhd-n] 
–adjective
| 1. | happening, coming, made, or done quickly, without warning, or unexpectedly: a sudden attack. |
| 2. | occurring without transition from the previous form, state, etc.; abrupt: a sudden turn. |
| 3. | impetuous; rash. |
| 4. | Archaic. quickly made or provided. |
| 5. | Obsolete. unpremeditated. |
–adverb
| 6. | Literary. suddenly. |
–noun
—Idiom| 7. | Obsolete. an unexpected occasion or occurrence. |
| 8. | all of a sudden, without warning; unexpectedly; suddenly. |
Also, on a sudden.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME sodain (adj. and adv.) < MF < L subitāneus going or coming stealthily, equiv. to subit(us) sudden, taking by surprise (see subito ) + -āneus composite adj. suffix, equiv. to -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous
1250–1300; ME sodain (adj. and adv.) < MF < L subitāneus going or coming stealthily, equiv. to subit(us) sudden, taking by surprise (see subito ) + -āneus composite adj. suffix, equiv. to -ān(us) -an + -eus -eous
Related forms:
sud⋅den⋅ly, adverb
sud⋅den⋅ness, noun
Synonyms:
1, 2. unforeseen, unanticipated. Sudden, unexpected, abrupt describe acts, events, or conditions for which there has been no preparation or gradual approach. Sudden refers to the quickness of an occurrence, although the event may have been expected: a sudden change in the weather. Unexpected emphasizes the lack of preparedness for what occurs or appears: an unexpected crisis. Abrupt characterizes something involving a swift adjustment; the effect is often unpleasant, unfavorable, or the cause of dismay: He had an abrupt change in manner. The road came to an abrupt end.
1, 2. unforeseen, unanticipated. Sudden, unexpected, abrupt describe acts, events, or conditions for which there has been no preparation or gradual approach. Sudden refers to the quickness of an occurrence, although the event may have been expected: a sudden change in the weather. Unexpected emphasizes the lack of preparedness for what occurs or appears: an unexpected crisis. Abrupt characterizes something involving a swift adjustment; the effect is often unpleasant, unfavorable, or the cause of dismay: He had an abrupt change in manner. The road came to an abrupt end.
Antonyms:
1, 2. gradual, foreseen.
1, 2. gradual, foreseen.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To suddenly
| sud·den (sŭd'n) adj.
[Middle English sodain, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin *subitānus, from Latin subitāneus, from subitus, from past participle of subīre, to approach stealthily : sub-, secretly; see sub- + īre, to go; see ei- in Indo-European roots.] sud'den·ly adv., sud'den·ness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
