adjective
sudden
SUD-un/ˈsʌdn/
Happening quickly and unexpectedly.
The bird's sudden flight makes the nearby man recoil.
Etymology
Latin subitaneus, “sudden,” derives ultimately from a verb meaning to come up stealthily or occur secretly. This connects suddenness with something arriving unnoticed, so that its appearance is unexpected.
In context
Asthma can also trigger coughing spells that are sudden and intense, especially if the airways become constricted quickly.
More examples
- A sudden gust scattered the papers.
- Her departure was so sudden that nobody said goodbye.
- The machine came to a sudden stop.
Forms
sudden
suddenly adverb — Quickly and unexpectedly.
Similar words
- abrupt
- Emphasizes lack of transition or warning.
- unexpected
- Not anticipated, without necessarily happening quickly.