# suspense

> English word · Noun · IPA /səˈspɛns/ · frequency rank #14,428

## Definitions
1. The condition of being suspended; cessation for a time.
2. the pleasurable emotion of anticipation and excitement regarding the outcome or climax of a book, film etc.
3. The unpleasant emotion of anxiety or apprehension in an uncertain situation.
4. A temporary cessation of one's right; suspension, as when the rent or other profits of land cease by unity of possession of land and rent.
5. A deadline.

## Etymology
From Middle English suspense, suspence, from Anglo-Norman suspens (as in en suspens) and Old French suspens, from Latin suspēnsus.

## Easily confused with
- **suspend** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/suspend-vs-suspense)
- **suspended** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/suspended-vs-suspense)

## Common misspellings (12)
`ssupense`, `ssuspense`, `supsense`, `susepnse`, `suspenes`, `suspennse`, `suspensse`, `suspesne`, `suspnese`, `susppense`, `susspense`, `usspense`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/suspense