# unanticipated

/ˌənænˈtɪsəˌpeɪtɪd/ (US) · /ʌnæntˈɪsɪpˌeɪtɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unanticipated
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

not expected or planned for. You use this to describe something that happens suddenly and catches you by surprise.

For teachers: not foreseen or expected; occurring without prior warning or preparation. Often used in formal or technical contexts to describe unexpected outcomes or events.

## Examples

- The heavy rain caused unanticipated delays on the highway.
- The sudden drop in interest rates led to unanticipated changes in the housing market that many experts failed to predict.
- While the initial launch was a success, the software update introduced several unanticipated bugs that required an emergency patch to be released within forty-eight hours.

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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.