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Definition of suddenly

suddenly

/ˈsʌd.ən.li/
sud · den · ly
Adjective:sudden
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suddenly Lexical Profile

suddenly Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Quickly and unexpectedly, without prior warning or preparation.

Example

"The weather changed suddenly, turning a sunny afternoon into a heavy thunderstorm within minutes."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

sudan
sudanese
sudden
suddenly
suddenness
sudetes
sudoku

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'sudden' (borrowed from Anglo-Norman 'sodein' and Latin 'subitaneus', meaning 'coming stealthily or unexpectedly') combined with the adverbial suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Suddenly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/suddenly
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