adj
sudden
SUHD-uhn
adj
1
Happening quickly, with little or no warning.
"Her sudden departure left everyone confused."
"There was a sudden drop in temperature overnight."
How to Use Sudden
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHappening fast, without warning.
Common pairings
a sudden change
sudden death
all of a sudden
Word Forms
suddener comparative, more sudden comparative, suddens plural, suddenest superlative, most sudden superlative
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Her _____ departure left everyone confused.
Etymology
From Old French sodain, from Vulgar Latin subitanus, from Latin subitus, "that which has come stealthily" — the past participle of subire, "to steal up on," from sub- ("under") plus ire ("to go").