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, three laughing spectators burst through the ceiling, demanding entertainment. —Michael Schulman, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Should the drugs be discontinued before or during pregnancy, any sudden weight gain (or regain) by the mother could similarly affect the health of her child. —Gary Taubes, The Atlantic, 15 Apr. 2024

Was there something that alerted you to this issue or did this just all of a sudden come to the mind of a 12-year-old? Correction. —Mará Rose Williams, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2024

The week ahead could bring a sudden change that leaves you breathless. —Kyle Thomas, Peoplemag, 14 Apr. 2024

The Alaska Airlines cataclysm upends Boeing’s old succession plan On March 25, Boeing unveiled a sudden upheaval in its C-suite and boardroom. —Shawn Tully, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

All of a sudden, the possible obstacle of geography melted away. —Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024

After her father died of a sudden heart attack, Roxanne Olson raced back home to California. —Mansee Khurana, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024

The deal follows pressure from Gov. Wes Moore (D), who publicly called on state legislators to work out a compromise following the collapse of the Key Bridge and the sudden closure of the Port of Baltimore, which is a major economic engine for the state. —Katie Shepherd, Washington Post, 3 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

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

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