Meaning & use
sudden
Happening or done quickly and unexpectedly, without warning.
See it in a sentence
A sudden downpour sent everyone running for cover under the awning.
Her sudden decision to quit surprised colleagues who thought she loved the job.
A note on using this word
Often paired with "all of a" in the fixed phrase "all of a sudden," meaning unexpectedly.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “sudden”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.