Word
surprising
Phoneticssur·pris·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/səˈpɹaɪzɪŋ/
UK/səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/
Definitions
01unexpected
A2 · Elementary
adj. causing you to feel surprised because you did not expect it.
adj. causing astonishment or wonder due to being unexpected or unusual.
日本語:意外※
“It was surprising that the small shop had exactly what I needed.”
“The researchers found a surprising correlation between sleep patterns and creative output, which challenged several long-held assumptions in the field.”
Usage
usually placed before a noun or after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.
Pitfall
I am very surprising by the news.
I am very surprised by the news.
Use 'surprising' for the thing that causes the feeling, and 'surprised' for the person who has the feeling.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02the act of being surprised
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of surprising someone or the state of being surprised.
n. the gerundial use of the verb, referring to the action of catching someone off guard or the experience of astonishment.
“The surprising of the enemy was the main goal of the secret mission.”
“The sudden surprising of the guests by the host's announcement led to a momentary silence in the ballroom.”
Usage
often functions as a verbal noun in formal or literary contexts.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “surprising” in context.
Confusables
Surprised is the feeling a person has; surprising is the quality of the thing that caused it.
Remember-ed = I feel it. -ing = It is that way.
Etymology
From surprise + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/surprising
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0