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

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

Earthquakes’ sudden, rapid shaking can cause fires, tsunamis, landslides or avalanches. —Don Sweeney, Sacramento Bee, 3 Apr. 2024

The Rough Rider’s playoff success, however, came to a sudden end. —Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2024

Retinal detachment can cause a sudden increase in eye floaters. —Cassie Shortsleeve, Health, 30 Mar. 2024

There is a smattering of similar case reports in medical journals in which patients experienced a sudden severe increase in blood pressure, muscle breakdown or even death. —Bill Sullivan, Discover Magazine, 30 Mar. 2024

To that end, expert dermatologists are here to answer your most pressing questions about sudden breakouts during pregnancy. —Brenda Della Casa, Allure, 29 Mar. 2024

Now, all of a sudden, he’s being covered by underground rap microblogs with the intensity of UK tabloids obsessing over ex–Love Island stars and Black Premier League strikers. —Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 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
• sudden death
• sudden victory
• sudden infant death syndrome
• 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