English Dictionary
Definition surprise in British English
surprise
noun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
noun
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
Ways of expressing surprise
used for showing that you are surprised
used for showing that you are surprised, especially when you are not pleased
an informal way of saying that what someone has just said is very surprising
used for emphasizing that what someone has just said is so surprising that you can’t believe it
used for emphasizing that something that has just happened is so surprising that you can’t believe it
used for emphasizing that what you are about to tell someone is surprising but true
used for saying that something is so surprising that no one could have expected it
Examples:
Good heavens! Is that the time already? I promised to be home by five! ♦ ‘We’re getting married.’ ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe it!’
Good grief! Twenty pounds for a taxi to the city centre? That’s outrageous!
‘Jo’s head of department now.’ ‘Really? She only joined the company a year ago.’
‘My dad’s bought two tickets for the World Cup.’ ‘No way! That’s fantastic!’
I don’t believe it! I passed all my exams!
Believe it or not, this shabby old desk is a collector’s item. ♦ Oddly enough, I was just about to call you when the phone rang.
Who would have thought he’d get married again at 80?
an unusual or unexpected event
Given the dismal sales performance, the change of management came as no surprise.
Let's hope there are no more unpleasant surprises in store for us.
news or information that seems unusual or unexpected
the feeling you have when something unusual or unexpected happens
Much to my surprise, the restaurant was actually very nice.
