Reading Theme:
Surprise: Meanings, Examples, and Common Uses (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：pleasant surprise (surprise)
surprise
/sərˈpraɪz/
n./v.
It means something unexpected happens, like a gift or a party, that makes you feel happy and amazed.
pleasant surprise
➕
/ˈplɛzənt sərˈpraɪz/
n./v.
A positive event or thing that brings joy because it is not expected.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'superprehendere' (super- 'over' + prehendere 'to seize'), via Old French 'surprendre'.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a jack-in-the-box popping out with a loud 'Surprise!' – unexpected and joyful.
📖 Example
My friends planned a birthday surprise for me, and I was so happy when they all jumped out from behind the sofa.
My friends planned a birthday surprise for me, and I was so happy when they all jumped out from behind the sofa.
🔗 Collocations
a pleasant surprise – An unexpected event that makes someone happy.
surprise party – A party planned secretly to honor someone, often with a sudden reveal.
big surprise – A very unexpected or shocking event or gift.
🔄 Synonyms
amazement (n.) – A feeling of great wonder or astonishment.
astonishment (n.) – Extreme surprise or shock.
wonder (n.) – A feeling of amazement and admiration caused by something beautiful or unexpected.
🚫 Antonyms
expectation (n.) – A strong belief that something will happen in the future.
predictability (n.) – The quality of being able to be predicted or foreseen.
certainty (n.) – The state of being completely sure about something.
🌱 Derivatives
surprising (adj.) – Causing surprise or wonder.
surprised (adj.) – Feeling or showing surprise.
unsurprising (adj.) – Not causing surprise; expected.
📖 Cultural Story
Originally meant 'to overtake' in Old French. The modern sense of 'cause astonishment' emerged in the 17th century. Surprise parties became popular in the 20th century.
Meaning 2：to startle (surprise)
surprise
/sərˈpraɪz/
n./v.
To do something that someone does not expect, making them feel suddenly surprised or shocked.
to startle
➕
/tuː ˈstɑːrtl/
n./v.
To cause someone to feel sudden shock or alarm because something unexpected happens.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The sudden rain surprised us during our picnic, so we had to run to find shelter.
The sudden rain surprised us during our picnic, so we had to run to find shelter.
🔗 Collocations
surprise attack – A military assault launched without warning.
surprise visit – An unexpected visit to someone's home or workplace.
surprise announcement – An unexpected public statement that shocks or excites.
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
expect (v.) – To regard something as likely to happen; to anticipate.
foresee (v.) – To see or know something before it happens.
anticipate (v.) – To expect or predict something.
🌱 Derivatives
surprising (adj.) – Causing surprise.
surprised (adj.) – Feeling surprise.
surpriser (n.) – A person or thing that causes surprise.
Meaning 3：to catch in the act (surprise)
surprise
/sərˈpraɪz/
n./v.
To find or catch someone or something when they are not expecting you, often doing something they didn't want you to see.
to catch in the act
➕
/tuː kætʃ ɪn ðiː ækt/
n./v.
To discover someone doing something secret or forbidden without their knowledge.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
I went home early and surprised my brother eating the last piece of my birthday cake.
I went home early and surprised my brother eating the last piece of my birthday cake.
🔗 Collocations
surprise someone in the act – To catch someone while they are doing something wrong.
surprise a thief – To discover a thief stealing unexpectedly.
surprise a secret – To find out a hidden truth unintentionally.
🔄 Synonyms
catch red-handed (phrase) – To catch someone in the act of doing something wrong.
discover (v.) – To find something hidden or unknown.
unmask (v.) – To reveal the true nature or identity of someone.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
surprising (adj.) – Causing surprise.
surprised (adj.) – Feeling surprise.
unsurprised (adj.) – Not feeling surprise; having expected something.
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