unforeseen

Everyday

Not expected or planned for; something nobody guessed would happen. tree →

In the lessons

Common in notices and formal language: «Due to unforeseen circumstances, the trip is cancelled.» In maths and money, unforeseen costs are extra costs you did not plan for. Phrases: «unforeseen circumstances», «unforeseen problems», «unforeseen costs».

Examples

• Due to unforeseen circumstances, the concert is cancelled. tree →
• The builders found an unforeseen problem with the roof. tree →
• We set aside money for unforeseen costs. tree →
• The road was closed for unforeseen reasons. tree →
• An unforeseen snowstorm kept us at home. tree →
• The plan worked, apart from one unforeseen hitch. tree →
• But when the Argonauts, as these fifty brave adventurers were called, had prepared everything for the voyage, an unforeseen difficulty threatened to end it before it was begun. tree →

Note

Foresee = see before = guess what will happen; unforeseen = not foreseen. Spelt with «fore» (before), not «for». Takes «an». Slightly formal; everyday: «unexpected».