sud ‧ den S2 W3 /ˈsʌdn/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ suddenness ; adverb : ↑ suddenly ; adjective : ↑ sudden ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: sodain , from Latin subitaneus , from subitus 'sudden' , from subire 'to come up' ]
1 . happening, coming, or done quickly or when you do not expect it:
a sudden change in the weather
Life is cruel, she thought, with a sudden rush of anger.
a sudden movement
Her death was sudden.
2 . all of a sudden suddenly:
All of a sudden the lights went out.
—suddenness noun [uncountable]