sudden Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective happening without warning or in a short space of time
    • a sudden storm
    • a sudden decision
    • a sudden cure

WordNet

Sud"den adjective
Etymology
OE. sodian, sodein, OF. sodain, sudain, F. soudain, L. subitaneus, fr. subitus sudden, that has come unexpectedly, p.p. of subire to come on, to steal upon; sub under, secretly + ire to go. See Issue, and cf. Subitaneous.
Definitions
  1. Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy. "O sudden wo!" Chaucer. "For fear of sudden death." Shak.
    Sudden fear troubleth thee. Job xxii. 10.
  2. Hastly prepared or employed; quick; rapid.
    Never was such a sudden scholar made. Shak.
    The apples of Asphaltis, appearing goodly to the sudden eye. Milton.
  3. Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate. Obs. Shak. Syn. -- Unexpected; unusual; abrupt; unlooked-for. -- Sud"den*ly, adv. -- Sud"den*ness, n.
Sud"den adverb
Definitions
  1. Suddenly; unexpectedly. R.
    Herbs of every leaf that sudden flowered. Milton.
Sud"den noun
Definitions
  1. An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.
    How art thou lost! how on a sudden lost! Milton.
    He withdrew his opposition all of a sudden. Thackeray.

Webster 1913