SUDDENLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does suddenly mean? 

• SUDDENLY (adverb)
  The adverb SUDDENLY has 3 senses:

1. happening unexpectedly

2. quickly and without warning

3. on impulse; without premeditation

  Familiarity information: SUDDENLY used as an adverb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SUDDENLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Happening unexpectedly

Synonyms:

all of a sudden; of a sudden; suddenly

Context example:

suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her side

Sense 2

Meaning:

Quickly and without warning

Synonyms:

abruptly; dead; short; suddenly

Context example:

he stopped suddenly

Pertainym:

sudden (happening without warning or in a short space of time)

Sense 3

Meaning:

On impulse; without premeditation

Synonyms:

on the spur of the moment; suddenly

Context example:

he made up his mind suddenly

 Context examples 

Ham glanced at me, and suddenly I felt a shock that struck me back.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Suddenly the captain spoke up again, and I thought his voice was a little changed.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

"Here! What are you doing?" Scott cried suddenly.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Mr. Holmwood has been suddenly called to Ring to see his father, who has been taken seriously ill.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Wolf Larsen ceased swearing as suddenly as he had begun.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Suddenly he yelled "Whoa!" at the dogs, and stopped.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Suddenly Lord John, who was walking first, halted with uplifted hand.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

As the clock struck nine and Jo proposed bed, Meg suddenly left her chair and, taking Beth's stool, leaned her elbows on her mother's knee, saying bravely...

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The steps drew swiftly nearer, and swelled out suddenly louder as they turned the end of the street.

(The Strange Case Of Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“Well, Watson,” he asked, turning suddenly upon me, “what do you make of it?”

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)