Sudden: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Meaning 1：happening quickly and unexpectedly (sudden)

sudden 🔊

/ˈsʌd.ən/

adj.

It means something happens very fast and you don't see it coming.

Sudden moment of water glass knocked over unexpectedly

happening quickly and unexpectedly 🔊

➕

/ˈhæpənɪŋ ˈkwɪkli ænd ˌʌnɪkˈspɛktɪdli/

adj.

It describes something that occurs abruptly, without warning, often catching people off guard.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin subitus, from sub- 'under' + ire 'go', literally 'steal up on'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think 'sud' like 'suds' (soap bubbles) that pop unexpectedly—sudden!

📖 Example

We were enjoying a picnic when a sudden downpour sent everyone running for cover. 🔊 We were enjoying a picnic when a sudden downpour sent everyone running for cover.

🔗 Collocations

sudden change – an abrupt alteration that happens quickly

sudden death – unexpected and immediate death, often used in sports for a decisive round

sudden impact – a forceful collision that occurs without warning

🔄 Synonyms

abrupt (adj.) – happening suddenly and unexpectedly, often with a sharp change

unexpected (adj.) – not anticipated or foreseen; coming as a surprise

swift (adj.) – moving or happening quickly; rapid in action

🚫 Antonyms

gradual (adj.) – happening slowly, step by step, over a period of time

expected (adj.) – considered likely to happen; anticipated

slow (adj.) – taking a long time to move or happen; not fast

🌱 Derivatives

suddenly (adv.) – in a sudden manner; quickly and unexpectedly

suddenness (n.) – the quality of being sudden; abruptness

📖 Cultural Story

Sudden entered English in the 14th century via Old French 'soudain', from Latin 'subitus' (unexpected). It often describes rapid events like 'sudden death' or 'sudden change'.