shocker
A shocker is a surprising or shocking event that happens suddenly.
When we say something is a shocker, it means it's really unexpected and often unpleasant. For example, if someone gets into an accident on their way to work, that's a shocker. We might also use the word to describe news that's surprisingly good - like winning a big prize or getting a new job offer out of nowhere! In sports, a team that beats a much stronger opponent is often called a "shocker" because it was such an unexpected result.
In informal conversations, people often use shocker to express their surprise or astonishment. For instance, if someone says "I just got a call from my old friend and they're getting married next week - what a shocker!" they mean it's a sudden and surprising piece of news.
How common is "shocker"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
noun
(colloquial) One who or that which shocks or startles.
Example: The election results were a real shocker.
Real examples of "shocker" in context
