French word

subitement

Pronunciation

IPA/sybitəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbsuddenly

Example

Il est parti subitement.

He left suddenly.

Illustration for subitement (suddenly)

More examples

Il a subitement changé d'humeur.

He suddenly changed his mood.

Core concept

An action entering the scene like an unannounced switch from one state to another.

Common phrases

  • tomber subitement malade

    suddenly fall ill

  • avoir subitement une idée

    suddenly have an idea

Similar words

soudain: Indicating that an unanticipated event occurs suddenly.
brusquement: Indicating a sudden and sharp change in movement or condition.
tout à coup: A colloquial way to indicate that something happens suddenly.
à l'improviste: Indicating that something happens without warning or preparation.

Definition in French

Marque qu'une action survient tout à coup, sans signe annonciateur, souvent pour un changement rapide.

Word origin

French formed subitement from the adjective subit and the productive adverbial ending -ement, continuing Latin subitus.

Usage tips

  • The final t is pronounced in subitement, unlike the silent final consonant in the masculine adjective subit.

Other meanings

  • abruptlyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word