Surprise is an emotion that can be experienced as being both positive and negative. Surprise, characterized as a jolt, or shock, arises when a person encounters a sudden and unexpected sound, movement or event. Depending on their perception of the event (being positive or negative), the associated feelings may also switch to being positive (excitement, relief, amusement, enthusiasm, joy) or negative (fear, unhappiness, anger, disgust).

Surprise may be the emotion that lasts for the shortest duration of time, lasting a few seconds at most. Surprise can be also expressed involuntarily by the body coming to a state of readiness or attention, often with a gasp of surprise.