surprisedsur‧prised /səˈpraɪzd $ sər-/ ●●● S2 W2 adjective 
He looked surprised to see Cassie standing by the front door.surprised at/by We were greatly surprised at the news.surprised (that) She was surprised that no one was there to greet her.surprised to see/hear/learn etc I bet she’ll be really surprised to see me. He had a surprised look on his face. Don’t be surprised if the interviewer is rather direct. I wouldn’t be surprised if she married that fellow.COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/really surprised· I would be very surprised if that was the case.quite surprised· I was quite surprised at his reaction.a little/somewhat/slightly surprised· He was a little surprised by her request.mildly surprised (=slightly surprised)· He looked mildly surprised by the question.pleasantly surprised (=when someone has a pleasant surprise)· You will probably be pleasantly surprised at the amount of food you are allowed to eat on this diet.genuinely surprised· ‘Me?’ Theodora seemed genuinely surprised.THESAURUSsurprised having the feeling you get when something happens that you did not expect: · I was surprised to see her again so soon.· I’m really surprised that he remembered my birthday.· Nobody was surprised when they split up.· a surprised expressionamazed [not before noun] extremely surprised, especially by something good or by something that seems hard to believe: · I’m amazed that he survived.· You’ll be amazed when you see the difference.astonished extremely surprised: · He was astonished by how much she had changed.· an astonished lookastounded extremely surprised or shocked. Astounded sounds a little more formal and a little stronger than astonished: · She was astounded by how much it cost.staggered/flabbergasted/dumbfounded [not before noun] extremely surprised or shocked: · ‘What?’ I said, utterly staggered by his answer.· She just sat there looking flabbergasted.stunned so surprised that you do not know what to do or say: · I was too stunned to protest.· Everyone seemed stunned by his outburst.· They listened in stunned silence.speechless so surprised that you cannot speak: · I was speechless when I heard that I’d won.taken aback [not before noun] surprised by what someone says or does, so that you are not sure how to react: · I was a little taken aback by her question.· Sharpe was somewhat taken aback by the girl 's directness.nonplussed /nɒnˈplʌst $ nɑːn-/ formal surprised and a little confused: · She was nonplussed by such an odd question.gobsmacked [not before noun] British English informal extremely surprised – a very informal use: · I was absolutely gobsmacked when they told me I had passed.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Carrie looked surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here!"
- His exam results were great - we were all very pleasantly surprised.
- I'm really surprised that he remembered my birthday.
- I was really surprised when I passed my driving test first time.
- I was so surprised when I saw you walk in!
- Julia seemed a little surprised by my question.
- We couldn't help laughing at the children's surprised faces.
- We were surprised to see Drew's picture in the newspaper.
- When I saw him again, I was surprised at how much older he looked.
- Erika was surprised to find that she was beginning to like Bach.
- I am surprised that you should publish an article on the Tay floods with a meaningless figure.
- I was surprised as I knew Len usually drove his own car to work.
- Now that he came to think of it, Edward was surprised this point had never cropped up before.
- She was surprised that Colonel Scott Wilson wore a dinner jacket.
- Supermarkets may be as surprised as anyone to find themselves selling no more than 25 percent of national production by 1997.
- The player was surprised over his dismissal.
- The two children were very surprised.
THESAURUS
having the feeling you get when something happens that you did not expect: · I was surprised to see her again so soon.· I’m really surprised that he remembered my birthday.· Nobody was surprised when they split up.· a surprised expression
[not before noun] extremely surprised, especially by something good or by something that seems hard to believe: · I’m amazed that he survived.· You’ll be amazed when you see the difference.
extremely surprised: · He was astonished by how much she had changed.· an astonished look
extremely surprised or shocked. Astounded sounds a little more formal and a little stronger than astonished: · She was astounded by how much it cost.
[not before noun] extremely surprised or shocked: · ‘What?’ I said, utterly staggered by his answer.· She just sat there looking flabbergasted.
so surprised that you do not know what to do or say: · I was too stunned to protest.· Everyone seemed stunned by his outburst.· They listened in stunned silence.
so surprised that you cannot speak: · I was speechless when I heard that I’d won.
[not before noun] surprised by what someone says or does, so that you are not sure how to react: · I was a little taken aback by her question.· Sharpe was somewhat taken aback by the girl 's directness.
formal surprised and a little confused: · She was nonplussed by such an odd question.
[not before noun] British English informal extremely surprised – a very informal use: · I was absolutely gobsmacked when they told me I had passed.
Longman Language Activatorsurprised if you are surprised by something that happens, you do not expect it, so it seems strange or unusual: · I was really surprised when I passed my driving test first time.· Carrie looked surprised. "I didn't expect to see you here!"· We couldn't help laughing at the children's surprised faces.surprised to see/hear/learn etc: · We were surprised to see Drew's picture in the newspaper.surprised (that): · I'm really surprised that he remembered my birthday.surprised at: · When I saw him again, I was surprised at how much older he looked.surprised by: · Julia seemed a little surprised by my question.pleasantly surprised (=surprised when something unexpectedly good happens): · His exam results were great - we were all very pleasantly surprised.
use this about something that surprises you so much you almost cannot believe it: · Liz was amazed when she found out how much dinner had cost.amazed that: · I'm amazed that the bank keeps lending him money.amazed to see/learn/find out etc: · We were amazed to see John looking so well, so soon after his operation.amazed at/by: · She couldn't help feeling amazed at his stupidity.amazed by: · You'll be amazed by how much progress we've made.
extremely surprised by something that happens, because it is very unusual or strange: · Mark was astonished when he read the message - what on earth could she mean?· We climbed out of the hole right in front of two astounded policemen.astonished/astounded (that): · It was an extremely nasty accident and I was astonished that anyone had survived it.astonished/astounded at/by: · Everton admits to being astounded at the popularity of the book.astonished/astounded to hear/see/discover etc: · The whole town was astounded to hear of a plan to build an office building right next to the lake.
to be so surprised or shocked by what someone has done or said that, for a moment, you do not know what to say: · I was taken aback to find an elderly woman sitting inside the door of the men's room.be taken aback by: · I was completely taken aback by his aggressive and unreasonable attitude.
especially written surprised and a little frightened or worried because of something that has suddenly happened or something that someone said: · "Have we met somewhere before?" The man looked startled for a moment.startled by: · They were startled by a sudden flash in the sky.
informal so surprised by something that has happened that you do not know what to say: · The delivery men just left the furniture in my front yard. I was flabbergasted.flabbergasted at/by: · Doctors said they were flabbergasted at the decision to close the hospital.
if you can't get over something that has happened, you are so surprised by it that you cannot believe it: · Madge couldn't get over how much Joe had grown since she'd last seen him.· I can't get over how much she eats - why doesn't she gain any weight?
especially spoken say this when you are very surprised by something because it does not seem possible: can't believe it: · I can't believe it! Jane and Richard are getting married.can't believe (that): · She was a brilliant pianist -- we couldn't believe she was only 15.can't believe your eyes/ears: · The letter invited me to fly first class to New York for an interview on Monday - I could not believe my eyes!
a feeling of being surprised: somebody's surprise · You can imagine my surprise when I saw my sister's photograph on a magazine cover.surprise at · I expressed some surprise at the elaborate welcome which had been prepared for me.in/with surprise · Sam stared at his girlfriend in surprise. "What are you doing here?'' he asked.to somebody's surprise/to the surprise of somebody · To everyone's complete surprise, the Labour Party lost the election.
a feeling of great surprise, especially because something has happened that you almost cannot believe: in/with amazement: · Fans looked on in amazement as Robbins missed a third goal for the team.· Nina looked at me with amazement. "I don't believe you," she said.to somebody's amazement/to the amazement of somebody: · To our amazement, when we returned to China, the Moso tree had grown an impressive ninety feet.
a feeling of great surprise, especially at something you have seen or something someone has told you: · You should have seen the look of astonishment on his face!in/with astonishment: · Everyone gasped in astonishment as the cars came around the last bend.to somebody's astonishment/to the astonishment of somebody: · To everyone's astonishment, more than 100 people volunteered to help that day.
so surprised that you cannot speak so surprised, by something very good or very bad, that you do not know what to say: · When I told him I was pregnant, he was totally speechless.· Brian's remark left his boss speechless with anger.
to feel so surprised and full of emotion that you are unable to speak: · She rang me and told me that Tom had died. For once in my life I was lost for words.· When I saw the devastation from our window in the morning, I was at a loss for words.
so surprised by something unexpected that has happened that you are confused and unable to speak: · I just remember feeling dumbstruck when I heard that John Lennon was dead.· Suddenly the stewardess started screaming while the passengers watched, dumbfounded.
British informal so surprised that you cannot speak: · "How did you feel when you heard that your wife was expecting triplets?" "Gobsmacked - absolutely gobsmacked."
to make someone surprised · Diana's reaction surprised him - he hadn't realized that she was so upset.· The exam was actually quite easy, which surprised me.what surprises somebody is · What surprised me most was how cheap everything was compared to at home.it surprises somebody that · I have to say, it surprises me that they haven't gone bankrupt before now.surprise yourself (=do something that you thought you could not do, so that you are surprised) · Why don't you just have a go at skiing? You might surprise yourself.
if something is a surprise , or if it comes as a surprise , it surprises you: · "Bob and Linda are getting divorced.'' "That's a surprise -- they seemed like the perfect couple.''· The firing of the team's star pitcher came as a surprise to fans and sports writers alike.a complete surprise (=a big surprise): · My brother's sudden visit home was a complete surprise.be a surprise/come as a surprise to somebody: · The announcement of his resignation was a complete surprise to everyone in the office.it comes as a surprise to see/learn/find etc: · It comes as a surprise to learn what a high rate of illiteracy there is in this country.
to make someone feel extremely surprised, especially because something is very hard to believe: · Dave amazed his friends by leaving a well-paid job to travel around the world.it amazes somebody that: · It amazes me that no-one has thought of the idea sooner.
to make someone feel extremely surprised: · My father's reaction astounded me. How could he be so calm!· Tammy astonished her doctors by learning to walk again within weeks of the accident.· They astounded audiences with their fanciful costumes and their fascinating tales.what astonishes/astounds somebody is: · What astonishes me is how incredibly inefficient so many companies seem to be.
also catch somebody by surprise American if something takes you by surprise , it happens at a time when you are not expecting it: · The President's resignation took everyone by surprise.· The vehemence of her response took me by surprise.
making you feel surprised · A surprising number of teenagers leave school without being able to read and write.· Some of the conclusions in the report were quite surprising.it is surprising (that) · Wasn't it surprising that so few people came to the party?it is surprising to see/find/ learn etc · In such a small town it was surprising to find so many really good restaurants.it is surprising how/what etc · Liddy really didn't want to change school, but it was surprising how quickly she got used to the new one.
very surprising - use this especially about something very good or impressive: · Hong Kong is an absolutely amazing city.· What an amazing achievement!it is amazing how/what: · It's amazing how much work you can do in a day if you put your mind to it.it is amazing that: · After 2000 years, it's amazing that the inscriptions are still clear enough to read.it's amazing to see/find/think etc: · Isn't it amazing to think that men have actually stood on the moon?
something that is astonishing or astounding is so surprising that it is difficult to believe: · If you watch the way a spider makes its web, it's really astonishing.· The submarine was moving through the water at an astonishing speed.· The results of the tests were astounding.· In the area around London, house prices rose by an astounding 200 per cent in three years.it is astonishing/astounding that: · It was astounding that, as a mother, Sally also managed to do two jobs.it is astonishing how/what: · It's astonishing how much things have changed since the arrival of computers.it is astonishing to find/think/realize etc: · Isn't it astonishing to think that people may one day live for hundreds of years?
extremely surprising and difficult to believe: · He's so rude. It's unbelievable!· Over the next two weeks, we saw an incredible change in her character.it is unbelievable/incredible that: · They were driving much too fast. It's incredible that no-one was hurt.it is unbelievable how/what: · I think it was really unbelievable how he went on deceiving her for all those years.it is unbelievable to see/think/realize etc: · It's unbelievable to think how slow things were in the days before e-mail.
something that is unexpected makes you feel surprised because you did not expect it to happen or be true: · Her decision to leave was completely unexpected.· The new drug comes from an unexpected source -- potatoes.· Ella's angry outburst was so unexpected that Mike really didn't know what to say.
a startling fact is one that you would never have expected to be true: · There has been a startling increase in the numbers of homeless people.· The programme documents startling new theories about the way the universe began.
a staggering number or amount is very surprising because it is so large: · Apparently, we spend a staggering £2.4 billion a year on food for our pets.· a staggering rise in crime· The results of the survey were staggering - over half the children said that they went to school without any breakfast.
informal something that is mind-boggling is so big, strange, or complicated that it is almost impossible to imagine or believe: · The amount of money that some countries spend on weapons is mind-boggling.· His salary is nothing compared to the mind-boggling figures earned by some sportsmen.it is mind-boggling to think/realize etc: · It's mind-boggling to think that our solar system is only one among billions.
something that happens which surprises you something that you did not expect, especially something nice: it is a surprise: · It was a real surprise when Tony walked in. We thought he was still in America.· We've got Katie a bike for her birthday, but don't tell her - it's a surprise.a complete surprise (=one that you did not expect at all): · Anita didn't expect to get the job - it came as a complete surprise.as a surprise: · Apparently her husband bought her the car as an anniversary surprise.what a surprise! spoken: · Flowers? For me! What a lovely surprise!
something bad or unpleasant that happens to you that you did not expect: · "The bill came to £500." "That must have been a shock."get a shock: · We got a terrible shock when the police rang to say that they had arrested our daughter.give somebody a shock: · It gave me a shock when I realized how close I had come to being killed.
happening unexpectedly so that people are surprised: · Josh's friends gave him a surprise party to celebrate his 21st birthday.· The US were concerned about the possibility of a surprise attack by air or by sea.· Later, there was a surprise appearance by Schwazenneger himself.
unpleasantly surprising because the result is different from what you expected: · Liverpool suffered a shock defeat at Halifax last night, beaten by five goals to nil.· The chairman made a shock announcement that 500 employees would lose their jobs.
not surprising if something is not surprising or hardly surprising , you are not surprised by it because the situation makes it very likely to happen: · Now she's frightened to go out at night, which is hardly surprising after what happened to her.it is not surprising/hardly surprising (that): · It's not surprising that you're tired - you've been out every night this week.
if something is no surprise or comes as no surprise , you are not surprised when it happens, because you expected it to happen: it is no surprise/it comes as no surprise: · It came as no surprise when President Santos announced his resignation.· Both Jade's parents are doctors so it was no surprise when she went to medical school.be no surprise/come as no surprise that: · After years of struggle, it came as no surprise that the company went bankrupt.be no surprise/come as no surprise to: · It was no surprise to anyone when they finally said that they were getting a divorce.
spoken say this when you are not surprised about something bad that has happened because you can clearly see the reasons for it: · "I'm starving." "I'm not surprised, you haven't eaten all day.''I'm not surprised (that): · I'm not surprised that she's fed up with him.
spoken say this when you realize the reason why something happened, so that it is not surprising any more: · No wonder my camera wasn't working - there's no battery in it!
not caring about something: don't think (that) · At first I didn't think that Jim was going to reply.· I don't think many people will come to the meeting, do you?don't think so · "Do we have any coffee left?'' "I don't think so -- I'll have a look.''· "Is Mr Brown there?'' "No, I don't think so, I saw him go out earlier.''
to think that something will probably not happen or is probably not true: doubt if/whether: · We'd better go to the party, but I doubt if it'll be very exciting.· I doubt whether I'll be able to find a decent car for the price I can afford. doubt (that): · Some people doubted that the attacks on the American ships had actually taken place.very much doubt/doubt very much: · I very much doubt whether we'll get someone for the job by September.seriously doubt: · At the time we seriously doubted that the doctor had got the diagnosis right.doubt it: · It was possible that Maggie had been delayed, but he doubted it.
if you are doubtful about something, you do not believe that it will happen or should be done: · Mick felt optimistic about going to work in Hong Kong, but Sue was doubtful.· My brother looked doubtful when I asked him if he'd mind looking after the baby.be doubtful about: · A lot of us felt doubtful about the project at the beginning.be doubtful (that): · The doctor said she was doubtful that antibiotics would work.it is doubtful whether/that/if: · It is doubtful that life could survive under such extreme conditions as these.
if you are dubious about something, you do not think it is a good idea or that it is true: · "Do you think they'll let us in?'' Gabby looked dubious.be dubious about: · Marian is still dubious about whether any of the government's "solutions" will work.
spoken say this when you think something is very unlikely to happen or is very unlikely to be true: · I'd be surprised if they get here in time for the show.· I'd be very surprised if Ronnie got the job -- he just doesn't have enough experience.
spoken say this when you think that something is unlikely to happen or be true, especially when you are not completely sure that you are right: I wouldn't have thought (that): · I wouldn't have thought that there would be much traffic on a Sunday morning.I wouldn't have thought so: · "Will John and Carmen be coming tonight?" "I wouldn't have thought so. They're very busy at the moment."
spoken use this in order to say politely that you think what someone has said is unlikely: · "I think Kate and Eddie will end up getting married." "Really? I'm not sure about that."
what you say when you expect something to happen especially British /I guess especially American · Hasn't Tony arrived yet? He'll be here soon, I expect.I expect (that) · I expect your mother will be overjoyed when she hears you're having a baby.I expect/guess so · "Is Alan going to drive tonight?" "Yeah, I guess so."
informal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of what you know about someone or about the way things usually happen. I bet is more common than my bet is: I bet/my bet is (that): · I bet you'll miss your boyfriend when you go away for college.· Sandra says she's never going to have any children, but my bet is she has at least three.
use this when you have a feeling that something is going to happen, especially something bad or unpleasant: · You'll find Rick's parents rather hard to talk to, I suspect.I suspect (that): · I suspect that 10 years after the book is published, nobody will even remember the name of the author.
especially British also I should think British use this when you think something is likely to happen although you are not really sure: · It'll be cooler down by the lake, I would think.I would think (that): · I should think Sarah and Greg will be going to the party.I would/should think so: · "Will you have finished work by 6.30?'' "Oh yes, I should think so.''
say this when you think something may happen, even though other people think it is unlikely: · "Do you think they'll get married?" "I wouldn't be surprised."I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the top executives lose their jobs.
formal use this to introduce something that you expect to happen because of information that you have: · My expectation is that the two companies will eventually come to an agreement.
when things happens in the way you expected if something happens as expected , it happens exactly in the way that people expected it to happen: · As expected, the three men were sentenced to life imprisonment.· Tulsa beat New Mexico as expected in last night's game.as was/had been expected: · Yesterday, as had been expected, the government announced its intention to launch a public enquiry.
if something that happens is no surprise or comes as no surprise , it is exactly as you expected, so you are not surprised by it: · After a series of scandals, Fleischman's resignation comes as no surprise.be no surprise/come as no surprise to: · Tina was shocked when she heard she was not being promoted, but it came as no surprise to the rest of us.be/come as no great surprise: · The fact that Brown has decided to run for reelection comes as no great surprise.it is/comes as no surprise that: · It's no surprise that Jeff and his wife are getting divorced.be no surprise/come as no surprise to hear/discover/find etc: · It was no surprise to hear that Joel had messed the whole thing up again.
happening as you expect - use this especially about someone's behaviour, when you think they are boring or stupid because they always do exactly what you expect: · My dad's so predictable - every evening he comes home, has two beers, and falls asleep in front of the TV.· The movie was completely predictable - I couldn't wait for it to end.
if something, especially something bad or unpleasant, is only to be expected , it is what you should expect in that situation: · A few mistakes were only to be expected when you're cooking something for the first time.it is only to be expected that: · When you're over 60, it's only to be expected that you can't do as much as you used to.
to be what you would normally expect to happen in a particular situation: · If you want to be a politician, a little criticism is par for the course.· It seems in some of those countries that political torture and assassination are par for the course.
spoken say this when something happens that you expected to happen: · I'm not surprised she left him - look at the way he treated her!· Of course I'm disappointed that we lost, but I'm not really surprised.
when it is likely that something will happen or is true when something will probably happen or is probably true: · "Where is she?" "Probably in her room."· We'll probably be shooting the movie on location in Europe.· Archaeologists think the temple was probably built in the 3rd century AD.· He wrote dozens of books, but this is probably his best-known novel.
something that is likely will probably happen or is probably true: · The most likely result is a win for the Democrats.likely to do something: · The price of petrol is likely to rise again this year.very likely: · The jury is very likely to believe he was in the apartment at the time of the crime.something seems likely: · A peace settlement now seems likely.it is likely (that): · It is likely that the girl knew her killer.
formal likely to be true or likely to happen: it is/seems probable (that): · It seems probable that the election will be held in May.highly probable (=when something will almost certainly happen): · Unless the government agrees to further talks, a strike seems highly probable.probable cause: · The report states that the probable cause of death was a heart attack.probable cost/result/outcome etc: · The project will go ahead, at a probable cost of $2.1 million.
to be very likely: · The withdrawal of the allied forces is now a strong possibility.be a strong possibility (that): · There is a strong possibility that both the murders were committed by one man.be a strong possibility of: · The weather forecast says that there's a strong possibility of snow.
spoken say this when the present situation makes you think that something is likely to happen or likely to be true: · There aren't any taxis. It looks as if we'll have to walk.· Ted should be here by now. It looks like he's been delayed.it looks like being British: · From the agenda, it looks like being a long meeting.
if something may well happen or may well be true, it is fairly likely to happen or to be true: · Take an umbrella. It might well rain later on.· That's only my opinion. I could well be wrong.· The eruption of Santorini in 1470 BC may well have been heard as far away as Britain.it may well be (that): · It could well be that it is too late for us to reverse the effects of global warming.something may well be the case: · "Apparently, interest rates could rise again next month." "Yes, that might well be the case."
British /be in the cards American use this to say that something is likely to happen because of the present situation: · They say that another recession is on the cards.· No one was surprised when they got a divorce. It had been on the cards for years.· I was hoping for a promotion, but it doesn't seem to be in the cards right now.
also I guess American spoken say this when you think something is likely to be true or likely to happen: I suppose (that): · There was no reply when I phoned - I suppose she's still at work.· I suppose that they'll do some sightseeing while they're here.· I guess Kathy will want to bring her boyfriend.I suppose so/I guess so (=use this to answer a question): · "Is Bill coming too?" "I suppose so."· "If you don't pass the test, will you take it again?" "I guess so."
British /I would think/guess American spoken say this when you know enough about a situation to think something is likely to be true or likely to happen: · The garden's about 100 metres long, I would guess.I should think (that): · I should think she's about 24 or 25.· I would think that almost everyone could get here on a Saturday. I should/would think so: · "Will the match still go ahead?'' "Yes, I should think so.''
spoken say this when you know enough about a situation to think that something is likely to happen or be true, especially something special or unusual: I wouldn't be surprised if: · You know, I wouldn't be surprised if they decided to get married.I wouldn't be surprised to hear/see/find etc that: · I wouldn't be surprised to hear that she'd left that job by now.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadverbs He was genuinely concerned for the children. She was surprised to learn that he was a lot older than she had thought.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
· I would be very surprised if that was the case.
· I was quite surprised at his reaction.
· He was a little surprised by her request.
(=slightly surprised)· He looked mildly surprised by the question.
(=when someone has a pleasant surprise)· You will probably be pleasantly surprised at the amount of food you are allowed to eat on this diet.
· ‘Me?’ Theodora seemed genuinely surprised.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· He didn’t need to speak – his shocked expression said it all.
He was genuinely concerned for the children. She was surprised to learn that he was a lot older than she had thought.· He was always surprised to discover that other people didn't feel this way about him.· He was always surprised by joy, always surprised by disgust, always bewildered by the swing between the two.· One is always surprised by snow.· They were always surprised in the morning when they saw what I had done.· They are always surprised, however, that Rover never seems to learn, whatever tactics they employ.· He was always surprised that Morenz seemed to take so few holidays.
· She was as surprised as anyone when he looked elsewhere.· He was almost as surprised as she was.· She was as surprised as he was, and went off to look for some servants.· Mr Edgar was as surprised as I was, but welcomed Heathcliff as politely as he could.· Supermarkets may be as surprised as anyone to find themselves selling no more than 25 percent of national production by 1997.· The follow-up often fails because you are just as surprised at its success as your opponent!· For a moment she seemed as surprised as I was.
· He looked up and she was mildly surprised to see that he had a youthful Middle Eastern complexion.· Lambert felt mildly surprised that he had arrived.· I walked cautiously towards the body, and noticed that her face looked mildly surprised.· The driver glanced over and seemed only mildly surprised to see them.· The house appears mildly surprised but always dignified.· Polly seems mildly surprised that there aren't any men singing similar lyrics to hers.
· The only person more surprised than me was Ken, who just had to follow along as best he could.· I think he was even more surprised to see me than I was to see him.· And no-one was more surprised than Emily herself.· When I came to read the letter, I was even more surprised.· Nobody was more surprised than Neeld when his miserly great-uncle proved to be worth nearly £1 million, mostly in cash.· No one was more surprised when Jim Gardiner opened the scoring just after the half-hour than Jim himself.· I am more surprised by how few mistakes writers make.· When the motion passed by one vote, no one was more surprised than the government's opponents.
· Business has been pleasantly surprised on many occasions by the quality of school work.· Don Peters had been pleasantly surprised to find the Prime Minister's forthright manner lived up to her advance publicity.· If you have struggled alone for some time you may be pleasantly surprised at what is now available to you.· Pick a spell of dry weather and travel light: you could be pleasantly surprised.· Don't expect anything, and you may be pleasantly surprised - that's my philosophy.· The society's committee were pleasantly surprised at the size of the field of compassion.· We were more than pleasantly surprised at the result - a pleasant mixture of practical equipment choice and money saving tips.
· Folly was quite surprised to find she had no fears on that score.· Male speaker I was quite surprised about how they get dressed.· He was quite surprised for a minute, but didn't put up too much of a fuss.· He was quite surprised to find Roz Hatch in the room with him.
· I was rather surprised, never having realised what a source of danger children can be.· She was rather surprised that she remembered them so clearly.· I was rather surprised that he was asking me these questions.· The nature of this talk rather surprised me.· He seemed rather surprised and told me it was painful, but gave in.· When they came I was rather surprised that there seemed to be so many.· The horse was rather surprised, and stood in the road waiting for her to pick herself up.· What happened rather surprised the research department when the concept was tested with a potential user group.
· Ice skating was great fun and fairly easy to learn which really surprised me.· I wasn't really surprised when you jumped into the car like that, you know.· No one was really surprised when news first broke last January of his voluntary admission to a drugs rehabilitation unit.· Alice was not really surprised at this, because so many strange things were happening today.· No one was really surprised when he checked out a week later after an argument about drinking beer in his room.· He is really surprised that some people left the Lake District disgusted by the rainy weather.· Only once did he seem really surprised.· I was really surprised to see that the Innovation System worked.
· I was so surprised to see Ken, so relieved, that I rushed over and gave him a kiss.· Why do you look so surprised, cara?· The kiss was so brief, and he was so surprised, that he had no chance to respond.· I was so surprised, I stopped the orchestra and went over to him.· I was so surprised that at the time I uttered no word.· He was so surprised that he stopped and looked at her.· I was so surprised that I gave a great shout.
· Being somewhat surprised by this, I tried again, using the 550C Windows driver, but with the DeskJet Portable connected.· Reznor was not aware of it, however, and was somewhat surprised to find nasty things going bump in the night.
· Perhaps we should not be too surprised when we find ourselves in the new world of quality primary care.· They looked up, a touch too surprised.· He went inside the building and was not too surprised when the bell rang as he was making coffee.· Maggie was too surprised, too taken aback to resist him.· For some reason, I wasn't too surprised to see it was Gary Smart.· No one should be too surprised at these clashes.· Don't look too surprised if you see an experienced bookseller sniffing an old book of very good appearance.· They did not answer at once; they were too surprised.
· Adam would be very surprised to see him.· I have, on occasions, seen very, very, very surprised people.· The two children were very surprised.· The horse stopped when he saw me, and seemed very surprised.· I was very surprised when a bloke in 1990 was asking £250 ono for the same guitar.· Michael: Were you very surprised when you yourself won your Oscars?· Combine driver Rob Greaves was very surprised that moisture content for this time of the year was only 13.5%.· As for Tom, everyone was very surprised to see him, for he rarely visited anyone.
WORD FAMILYadjectivesurprisedsurprising ≠ unsurprisingnounsurpriseverbsurpriseadverbsurprisingly ≠ unsurprisingly
having a feeling of surprise: He looked surprised to see Cassie standing by the front door.surprised at/by We were greatly surprised at the news.surprised (that) She was surprised that no one was there to greet her.surprised to see/hear/learn etc I bet she’ll be really surprised to see me. He had a surprised look on his face. Don’t be surprised if the interviewer is rather direct. I wouldn’t be surprised if she married that fellow.COLLOCATIONSadverbsvery/really surprised· I would be very surprised if that was the case.quite surprised· I was quite surprised at his reaction.a little/somewhat/slightly surprised· He was a little surprised by her request.mildly surprised (=slightly surprised)· He looked mildly surprised by the question.pleasantly surprised (=when someone has a pleasant surprise)· You will probably be pleasantly surprised at the amount of food you are allowed to eat on this diet.genuinely surprised· ‘Me?’ Theodora seemed genuinely surprised.THESAURUSsurprised having the feeling you get when something happens that you did not expect: · I was surprised to see her again so soon.· I’m really surprised that he remembered my birthday.· Nobody was surprised when they split up.· a surprised expressionamazed [not before noun] extremely surprised, especially by something good or by something that seems hard to believe: · I’m amazed that he survived.· You’ll be amazed when you see the difference.astonished extremely surprised: · He was astonished by how much she had changed.· an astonished lookastounded extremely surprised or shocked. Astounded sounds a little more formal and a little stronger than astonished: · She was astounded by how much it cost.staggered/flabbergasted/dumbfounded [not before noun] extremely surprised or shocked: · ‘What?’ I said, utterly staggered by his answer.· She just sat there looking flabbergasted.stunned so surprised that you do not know what to do or say: · I was too stunned to protest.· Everyone seemed stunned by his outburst.· They listened in stunned silence.speechless so surprised that you cannot speak: · I was speechless when I heard that I’d won.taken aback [not before noun] surprised by what someone says or does, so that you are not sure how to react: · I was a little taken aback by her question.· Sharpe was somewhat taken aback by the girl 's directness.nonplussed /nɒnˈplʌst $ nɑːn-/ formal surprised and a little confused: · She was nonplussed by such an odd question.gobsmacked [not before noun] British English informal extremely surprised – a very informal use: · I was absolutely gobsmacked when they told me I had passed.