Etymology Map
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Sudden

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means happening quickly and unexpectedly

Where does the word "sudden" come from? It comes from Late Latin subitaneus, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
subitaneus
Late Latin · ancient
"sudden"
from 'subitus', unexpected: 'sub-' plus 'ire', to go: come upon
2
Stage 2 of 3
sodain
Old French · medieval
"sudden"
Anglo-French form
3
Stage 3 of 3
sudden
English · 1300s
"unexpected"
'all of a sudden' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Sudden’s story begins in Late Latin: subitaneus meant “sudden.” From 'subitus', unexpected: 'sub-' plus 'ire', to go: come upon. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sodain. Anglo-French form. It reached English by 1300s as sudden. 'all of a sudden' dates from the 1600s. Today, sudden means happening quickly and unexpectedly.