sudden

UK: ˈsʌdn | US: ˈsʌdn

Definition

  1. adj. happening or coming quickly and unexpectedly

  2. adj. abrupt or sharp in manner or action (archaic)

Structure
sud <secret, stealthy (from Old French *soudain*)>den <no standalone meaning; fused into modern form>
Etymology

The word "sudden" traces back to the Old French soudain, derived from Latin subitaneus (meaning "unexpected"), itself from subitus ("sudden," literally "coming from below"). The Latin root sub- (under) hints at something emerging stealthily or without warning. Over time, the spelling simplified in Middle English to "sodain" and later "sudden," losing its explicit morpheme boundaries but retaining the core idea of abruptness.

Examples

  1. A sudden noise made everyone turn around.

  2. She felt a sudden pain in her chest.

  3. His sudden departure left us all confused.

  4. The storm brought sudden heavy rain.

  5. The car came to a sudden stop.