surprise

Something you did not expect, often something pleasant.

• I have a surprise for you.
• Her visit was a lovely surprise.
• The children planned several surprises for their teacher.

How to use it: a surprise for someone (We have a surprise for you.)

Common phrases: a pleasant surprise, a birthday surprise, a lovely surprise, a complete surprise

Solid waste left by a pet or small child where you do not expect it.

• The puppy left a surprise on the rug.
• I stepped in a nasty surprise behind the sofa.
• We found another little surprise under the table.

Similar words: poop, mess

Common phrases: a nasty surprise, leave a surprise

To make someone feel amazed because something happens that they did not expect.

• The price surprised me.
• Her strength surprised everyone.
• Does it surprise you that he won?

How to use it: it surprises someone that… (It surprises me that nobody noticed.)

Similar words: amaze, astonish

Common phrases: surprise someone, surprise everyone

To do something for or to someone that they did not expect.

• Let us surprise Mum tonight.
• He surprised me with flowers.
• They surprised their friends by visiting without warning.

How to use it: surprise someone with something (We surprised Dad with a cake.); surprise someone by doing something (She surprised us by arriving early.)

Common phrases: surprise someone, surprise someone with

To feel amazed when something unexpected happens.

• She does not surprise easily.
• After years in nursing, he rarely surprises.
• Do experienced detectives surprise as readily as beginners?

Similar words: be surprised

Common phrases: surprise easily, surprise readily

You say this when revealing something you have kept secret to make someone happy or amazed.

• Surprise! We made you a cake.
• Surprise! Your sister is here.
• Surprise! I got us tickets for tonight.

Common phrases: surprise surprise, surprise happy birthday