surprise guest
Visitor without warning
A surprise guest is someone who arrives unexpectedly or whose presence is revealed as a surprise.
The term often describes planned appearances kept secret for dramatic effect: The surprise guest at the party was her brother, home from overseas.
Talk shows announce surprise guests to build anticipation while keeping the identity hidden from audiences—and sometimes from other guests.
- unexpectedNot anticipated beforehand
- out of the blueWithout any forewarning
- visitorShort-term guest
- pop inBrief unannounced visit
- doorbellEntry alert device
unannounced · party · crasher · drop-in · knock · threshold · open door policy · spare key · reunion · shock · delight · caught off guard · hospitality · awkward · welcome · intrusion · spontaneous · houseguest
- Visitorsvisitor, houseguest, invitee, company, caller
- partygoerspartygoers, party-goer, party-goers, attendee, partier
- Special Guests
- TV guest appearancescameo
- TV guest spotscameo, celebrity cameo, crossover, walk-on
- concert billingheadliner, opener, opening act, main act, co-headliner
surprise, guest, surprised, surprising, surprisingly, unsurprised, guests, guested, guesting