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Added 9 October 2026

suddenly

/ˈsʌd.ən.li/ adverb

In Latin: repente, subito, derepente Wiktionary

adverb Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about suddenly at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Happening unexpectedly.
suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her side
Quickly and without warning.
he stopped suddenly
On impulse; without premeditation.
he decided to go to Chicago on the spur of the moment

Origin

Inherited from Middle English sodenly, sodeynly, sodeinliche, sodaynlyche; equivalent to sudden + -ly.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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