Also means
the unexpected
Usage Note
Imprévu is widely used both as a noun ('un imprévu') and an adjective ('une dépense imprévue'). The phrase en cas d'imprévu means 'if anything unexpected comes up' and appears constantly in planning conversations. Related adjective inattendu is a near-synonym but more emotional in tone.
Examples
"Nous avons eu un imprévu ce matin."
Natural Translation
We had an unexpected issue this morning.

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