Full of surprises vs Remarkable

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Full of surprises

Top 3,000 (common)

Remarkable

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Most common: Remarkable
 Full of surprisesRemarkable
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //fʊl ʌv səˈpraɪzɪz//🇺🇸 //fʊl ʌv səˈpraɪzɪz//🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmɑːkəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmɑːrkəbl/"]/
Meaninghaving many unexpected thingsVery special or unusual, worth noticing.
ExampleThe journey was **full of surprises**, making it a memorable adventure.The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-B2
Part of speechadjective
Collocationslife is full of surprises, event full of surprises, trip full of surprisesbe, seem, absolutely, just, most, for
Antonymspredictable, boring, ordinaryordinary, unremarkable, mundane
Common mistakesUsing it in too formal a context where a straightforward description is better., Confusing with 'surprise' as a noun and using it as an adjective incorrectly., Forgetting to capitalize at the beginning of a sentence.Confused with 'remarkable' and 'notable', which have subtle differences in connotation., Using 'remarkable' in a negative context, which doesn't fit its positive meaning., Overusing it; it can sound exaggerated if used too frequently.
Usage notesUse in both spoken and written contexts. It's suitable for informal and formal scenarios but may feel a bit cliché. Use it when discussing events, places, or experiences that are exciting and unpredictable.Use 'remarkable' to describe something that is impressive, surprising, or extraordinary. It is neutral in tone, so it can be used in most contexts, including both spoken and written language. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations where simpler terms may suffice.

See it in real clips

Full of surprises
Remarkable

Frequently asked questions: Full of surprises vs Remarkable

What's the difference between Full of surprises and Remarkable?

Full of surprises: having many unexpected things Remarkable: Very special or unusual, worth noticing.

Which is more common: Full of surprises and Remarkable?

Remarkable is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Full of surprises: The journey was **full of surprises**, making it a memorable adventure. Remarkable: The scientist made a remarkable discovery that changed the field forever.

Can I use Full of surprises and Remarkable interchangeably?

Not always. Full of surprises and Remarkable are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons