SUHD-uhn
/ˈsʌdən/
sudden is pronounced SUHD-uhn (/ˈsʌdən/). Sudden describes something happening or arriving quickly and unexpectedly, with little or no warning. It emphasizes abrupt onset and immediacy, often implying a rapid shift from one state to another. In use, it signals a noteworthy change that occurs within moments, typically without gradual progression.
Sudden describes something happening or arriving quickly and unexpectedly, with little or no warning. It emphasizes abrupt onset and immediacy, often implying a rapid shift from one state to another. In use, it signals a noteworthy change that occurs within moments, typically without gradual progression.
"The car stopped so suddenly that I barely had time to react."
"A sudden gust of wind rattled the windows."
"Her sudden resignation surprised the entire team."
/ˈsʌdn/ in most English varieties. The first syllable carries primary stress; the vowel is a short, central to mid back rounded-like /ʌ/ (as in 'strut'), followed by a light ‘dn’ cluster with a quick, almost centralized schwa-less ending. In careful speech you’ll hear /ˈsʌd.n̩/ with a syllabic n in some accents. Practice by splitting: /ˈsʌd/ + /n/ with a brief stop before the final nasal. Audio reference: listen to native speakers saying 'sudden' to confirm the two distinct syllables.
Common errors: 1) Merging into a single syllable by slurring the /d/ and /n/; instead, articulate a clear /d/ closure before the /n/. 2) Using a long vowel like /uː/ in /ˈsuːdn/; the correct vowel is /ʌ/ as in 'strut.' 3) Dropping the final /n/ in rapid speech; ensure the nasal is lightly released. Correction: rehearse /ˈʌd.n̩/ or /ˈsʌ.dn/ with a crisp /d/ and a syllabic or lightly pronounced final /n/.
In US/UK/AU, primary stress remains on the first syllable /ˈsʌdn/ or /ˈsʌd.n̩/. US tends to reduce the final syllable’s vowel sound and may make /dn/ more of a tap or flap in rapid speech, while UK often preserves a clearer /dn/ sequence. Australian may have a slightly broader vowel in the first syllable and a softer /n/. The crucial differences are vowel quality in /ʌ/ and the degree of syllable separation; listening for a crisper /d/ in careful speech is helpful across all varieties.
The difficulty lies in maintaining a crisp boundary between the /d/ and /n/ in a two-syllable word with a short vowel /ʌ/. Many speakers blur the /d/ and /n/ into a single nasalized or alveolar blend, or substitute a closer vowel like /ʊ/ or /ə/. Focus on a distinct /d/ closure before releasing into a light /n/; keep the /ʌ/ short and centered, not overly open. Regular practice with minimal pairs helps lock the rhythm and separation.
A key feature is the consonant cluster at the end (/dn/). You need a brief, deliberate /d/ release followed by a quick, almost syllabic /n/. This makes the second syllable faint but audible. The word’s stress pattern is strong on the first syllable, so ensure the /ʌ/ vowel is noticeable and not reduced by fast speech. Mastery comes from practicing the boundary and the quick, clean nasal release.
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The word sudden comes from the Old French soudain, meaning ‘at once, at short notice,’ which itself derives from the Latin subito meaning ‘immediately’ or ‘suddenly.’ The English adoption likely occurred in the late Middle Ages, influenced by Norman French; early usage emphasized abruptness or immediacy in action or events. Over time, sudden broadened from physical events (a sudden pain) to more abstract moments (a sudden realization). The root is linked to notions of speed and abrupt transition, with the core semantic shift from “without warning” to “rapid and unexpected.” First attested in English circa 13th-14th centuries, sudden has maintained its crisp sense of immediacy, frequently collocating with nouns describing actions, changes, and feelings that occur with little forewarning.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "sudden" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "sudden" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "sudden"
-den sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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