Foundation level · Year 4 · free
suddenly
adverb · Say it: SUD-un-lee
What it means
Foundationquickly and without any warning
Suddenly, the rain poured down and we ran under a tree in the park.
Similar and opposite words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- abruptly
- unexpectedly
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- gradually
- slowly
More examples
- The lights suddenly went out just as Grace blew out her birthday candles.
Where the word comes from
It comes from 'sudden', from the Latin word 'subitaneus', meaning unexpected.
Try a quick question
One question about “suddenly”, the way 11+ papers ask it (Foundation level).