surprise

noun [C] (EVENT)

/səˈpraɪz/

/sɚ-/

Definition

A2 an unexpected event: Don't tell Anne we've arranged a party for her - I want it to be a surprise. It was a lovely/nasty, etc. surprise to get home and find the letter. Last night's heavy snow came as a complete surprise. You're always full of surprises (= doing unexpected things). I wish you wouldn't keep springing surprises on me (= telling me unexpected things or causing unexpected things to happen). They mounted a surprise attack at dawn. My uncle paid us a surprise visit yesterday. → Compare shock nounSurprising and shockingMaking people sad, shocked and upsetFeelings of surprise and amazement

(Definition of surprise noun (EVENT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)