How to Spell Suprise or Surprise – Which is Correct?

There are some words in English that can be spelled in two ways, such as apologise and apologize, realize and realize and many more. How about suprise and surprise? Do they also count as the English words that can be spelled in two ways?

The short answer to the question is no. Suprise and surprise are not two spellings of the same word. The first one, suprise, is incorrect while the latter is correct. Suprise is the common misspelling of the word surprise. Once again, keep in mind that the correct spelling of the word is S-U-R-P-R-I-S-E with two “r” and two “s”. It has a total of 8 letters, a disyllabic word with five consonants and three vowels. For your information, the phonetic pronunciation of the word is /səˈpɹaɪz/—the stress on the second syllable (sur-PRISE).

Talking about the English word surprise, do you know about its origin? Apparently, the English word “surprise” is derived from the Middle English word “surprise”, the one that was borrowed from the Middle French word “surprise”. This one is the nominal use of the past participle of Old French “sorprendre”. This Old French word means an overtake.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the word “surprise” has a few meanings, as follows:

As a noun:

• An unexpected event

Example:

• • Don’t tell Anne we’ve arranged a party for her – I want it to be a surprise.
  • It was a wonderful/nasty surprise to get home and find the letter.
  • Last night’s heavy snow came as a complete surprise.
  • You’re always full of surprises (= doing unexpected things).
  • I wish you wouldn’t keep springing surprises on me (= telling me unexpected things or causing unexpected things to happen).
  • They mounted a surprise attack at dawn.
  • My uncle paid us a surprise visit yesterday.

• The feeling caused by something unexpected happening

Example:

• • He looked at her in/with surprise.
  • To my great surprise, they agreed to all our demands.

• An unexpected event, or the feeling caused when something unexpected happens

Example:

• • Don’t tell Ann we’re having a party for her – I want it to be a surprise.
  • Last night’s heavy snow came as a complete surprise.
  • To my great surprise, they gave us everything we asked for.

As a verb:

• To make someone feel surprise

Example:

• • The news surprised everyone.
  • It doesn’t surprise me that their parents don’t want them to get married.
  • It will not surprise anyone to learn that the offer has been rejected.

Janet was surprised how quickly the time passed.

• To find, catch, or attack someone when they are not expecting it

Example:

• • The robbers had just opened the safe when they were surprised by the police.
  • His mother surprised him helping himself to her gin.

• (of an event you did not expect) to cause you to feel excitement over a sudden discovery

Example:

• • She surprised a lot of tennis fans by winning the Canadian Open.

• If you say that you are not surprised or would not be surprised if something happened, you mean that you almost expect it

Example:

• • I’m not surprised that their parents don’t want them to get married.
  • I would not be surprised to see the company slow down next year.

• To surprise someone is also to find the person unexpectedly

Example:

• • She jumped out and surprised her sister, who ran out into the hall.

The word “surprise” is also commonly used in publications. Some examples where this word is used in publications include:

1. It turns out it was full of surprises. – From Slate Magazine
2. You told me of the surprises along the way. – From The Atlantic
3. If you’re in an interfaith union, what has surprised you? – From NPR
4. That’s why his arrest came as such a surprise. – From Dallas Morning News
5. And much to his surprise — — that people are more willing to open up to a stranger with a camera that even their best. – From ABC News
6. What surprised you about the reaction to the show? – From Billboard
7. So — surprise! — they decided to go to a breeder. – From Slate Magazine
8. That’s no surprise for most of us women. – From Huffington Post
9. Then a month later, they get the bill and it’s the most unwelcome of surprises. – From New York Daily News
10. It would only be a surprise if intelligence agencies were not paying attention to virtual worlds. – From Slate Magazine
11. Yet there are often surprises and unscripted moments. – From The Hill
12. For me, it was actually something of a surprise. – From The Verge
13. So it should come as little surprise that many men began avoiding shaving. – From The Atlantic
14. But he’s not afraid to address that night, when he surprised even his friends by doing no more than thanking the crowd. – From Washington Post
15. Many drivers never see these cameras, but they find out about them when surprise tickets arrive in the mail. – From TIME

There are a number of examples with the word “surprise” in the sentences. If the list above is not enough, you can check out the followings:

1. I’m really surprised to hear you say that!
2. Mary told me she was paying her husband a surprise visit.
3. It was heartwarming to see the surprise and excitement on their faces when they saw their mother.
4. Surprise, surprise! I’m home.
5. The boss took us by surprise with his announcement.
6. The little boy surprised everybody with his speech.
7. It’s surprising to see you do what you condemned.
8. Lee is full of surprises; you never know what to expect.
9. What a pleasant surprise! I wasn’t expecting you today.
10. I’m throwing my sister a big surprise party for her birthday.