Surprize
Surprize: Meaning and Origin
Surprize is an older spelling of the modern English word surprise. It can be a noun meaning an unexpected event or the feeling caused by something unexpected. It can also be a verb meaning to surprise someone.
Simple meaning
In modern English, surprize is considered an old-fashioned or alternative spelling. The standard spelling today is surprise, with an s rather than a z.
For example, “The birthday party was a surprize” is understandable, but the modern form is “The birthday party was a surprise.”
Main meanings
- An unexpected event: something that happens without warning. Example:The gift was a pleasant surprise.
- A feeling of astonishment: the emotion you feel when something unexpected happens. Example:She looked at him in surprise.
- An unexpected attack: an older military meaning, meaning to attack or capture someone without warning. Example:The army took the enemy by surprise.
- To cause astonishment: as a verb, to make someone feel surprised. Example:His answer surprised everyone.
Pronunciation and grammar
Surprize is pronounced /sərˈpraɪz/, roughly “sur-PRIZE.” It has the same pronunciation as surprise.
- Noun: surprize / surprise
- Verb: to surprize / to surprise
- Past tense: surprized / surprised
- Present participle: surprizing / surprising
- Adjective: surprising
- Adjective: surprised
Origin of the word
The word comes from the Old French surprise, meaning “an overtake” or “an unexpected attack.” It is related to the verb surprendre, meaning “to overtake” or “to take by surprise.”
The word path is roughly:
- Latin:super, meaning “over” or “above”
- Latin:prehendere, meaning “to seize” or “to take”
- Old French:surprendre, meaning “to overtake” or “to take by surprise”
- Old French:surprise, meaning “an unexpected attack” or “a taking unawares”
- English:surprize / surprise, meaning “an unexpected event” or “the feeling caused by something unexpected”
In English, the military sense—“to attack without warning”—was used by the 1540s. The general meaning of “something unexpected” appeared by the 1590s, and the meaning “a feeling of astonishment” developed around the 1600s.
Examples
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A pleasant surprise | Something good that happens unexpectedly. |
| A big surprise | An event or news that causes strong astonishment. |
| By surprise | Without warning; unexpectedly. |
| To someone’s surprise | In a way that causes someone to feel surprised. |
| Surprise party | A party arranged secretly for someone. |
| Surprise visit | A visit that is not planned or expected. |
| Surprise ending | An ending that is unexpected, especially in a story or film. |
Surprize vs. surprise
| Word | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Surprise | An unexpected event, a feeling of astonishment, or the act of surprising someone | The standard modern spelling in both British and American English. |
| Surprize | The same meaning as surprise | An older or less common spelling; it may appear in historical texts, older literature, or word games. |
Related words
- Surprised: feeling surprise because something unexpected happened. Example:I was surprised by the news.
- Surprising: causing surprise because it is unexpected. Example:That was a surprising result.
- Surprisingly: in an unexpected way. Example:Surprisingly, he passed the exam.
- Astonishment: a strong feeling of surprise or amazement.
- Shock: a strong, often unpleasant, emotional reaction to something sudden or unexpected.
- Amazement: a feeling of great surprise or wonder.
In short:surprize is an older spelling of surprise. It means something unexpected, the feeling caused by an unexpected event, or the act of taking someone by surprise.