/ ˈsʌdn; NAmE / adjective
happening or done quickly and unexpectedly :
a sudden change
Don't make any sudden movements.
His death was very sudden.
It was only decided yesterday. It's all been very sudden.
► sud·den·ness noun [ U ]
•
IDIOMS
- all of a sudden
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Anglo-Norman French sudein , from an alteration of Latin subitaneus , from subitus sudden.