# surprising

/səˈpɹaɪzɪŋ/ (US) · /səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/surprising
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. unexpected

adjective · CEFR A2

causing you to feel surprised because you did not expect it.

For teachers: causing astonishment or wonder due to being unexpected or unusual.

- 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'.

### 2. the act of being surprised

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of surprising someone or the state of being surprised.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I want to surprise my sister with a birthday gift.
- The sudden rain shower managed to surprise the hikers, who had not checked the weather forecast before leaving.
- The candidate's victory did not surprise the political analysts, who had observed a significant shift in public opinion during the final weeks of the campaign.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.