unforeseen
/'ʌnfɔ:'si:n/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not anticipated or predicted; happening without warning: Describes events, circumstances, or outcomes that were not expected or foreseen.
- Coming as a surprise: Refers to something that occurs suddenly and was not part of any prior planning or consideration.
Usage and Examples
General Use:
- The project was delayed due to unforeseen complications. (The project was delayed because of complications that were not predicted.)
- We must have a plan to deal with unforeseen events. (We need a strategy to handle events that happen without warning.)
With Nouns:
- unforeseen circumstances
- an unforeseen delay
- unforeseen consequences
Advanced Usage and Nuances
- Often used in formal, legal, or business contexts to describe events that excuse non-performance or require contingency plans (e.g., clauses often cite "unforeseen circumstances").
- Implies a lack of prior knowledge or inability to reasonably predict an event. It carries a neutral to slightly negative connotation, often associated with problems or disruptions.
Variants and Related Words
- Unforeseeable (adj): Impossible to foresee or predict. (e.g., )
- Foreseen (adj): The antonym; anticipated or predicted. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Unexpected: Occurring without warning.
- Unanticipated: Not expected or predicted.
- Sudden: Happening quickly and without warning.
- Unpredicted: Not foretold or expected.
Idioms and Common Phrases
- A bolt from the blue: Something completely unexpected and surprising (similar in meaning to an unforeseen event).
- His resignation came like a bolt from the blue.
- Out of the blue: Happening suddenly and unexpectedly.
- The offer came completely out of the blue.
Adjective
- not anticipated
- unanticipated and disconcerting lines of development- H.W.Glidden
- unforeseen circumstances
- a virtue unlooked-for in people so full of energy
- like a bolt out of the blue