Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • In a sudden or unexpected manner; unexpectedly; hastily; without preparation or premeditation; quickly; immediately.
  • In zoology, sharply; abruptly; squarely: as, a part suddenly truncate.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adverb Happening quickly and with little or no warning; in a sudden manner.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb on impulse; without premeditation
  • adverb happening unexpectedly
  • adverb quickly and without warning

Etymologies

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Examples

  • His expression suddenly shifted, and something dropped away.

    Exit the Actress Priya Parmar 2011

  • His expression suddenly shifted, and something dropped away.

    Exit the Actress Priya Parmar 2011

  • Pearl Hand stiffened, her expression suddenly pinched, mouth hardening into a line.

    Fire The Sky W. Michael Gear 2011

  • Then his expression suddenly brightened, and his eyes seemed to dance in his head.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • Then his expression suddenly brightened, and his eyes seemed to dance in his head.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • Then his expression suddenly brightened, and his eyes seemed to dance in his head.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • Then his expression suddenly brightened, and his eyes seemed to dance in his head.

    Forever Lost Franklin W. Dixon 2011

  • She paled beneath the onslaught of that commanding seduction, her expression suddenly going slack.

    Brush of Darkness Allison Pang 2011

  • She paled beneath the onslaught of that commanding seduction, her expression suddenly going slack.

    Brush of Darkness Allison Pang 2011

  • Pearl Hand stiffened, her expression suddenly pinched, mouth hardening into a line.

    Fire The Sky W. Michael Gear 2011

Comments

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  • BOO!!!!!

    August 6, 2008

  • Most. Overused. Word. Ever.

    May 11, 2011