wonderment

[ wuhn-der-muhnt ]

noun

1. wondering wondering or wonder.
2. a cause or occasion of wonder.

wonderment

/ ˈwʌndəmənt /

noun

1. rapt surprise; awe
2. puzzled interest
3. something that excites wonder

Word History and Origins

Origin of wonderment¹

First recorded in 1525–35; wonder + -ment

Example Sentences

He’s known for his wistful imagination and wonderment of the world, particularly visible in his 2019 HBO special, My Favorite Shapes, in which he displays unique shapes and invents hilarious backstories for each of them.

From Ozy

As a child it was fascinating to hear the farmers reflect on the profound changes wrought to that land and their little-concealed wonderment at their ancestors for coping without the accoutrements of the modern world that so many of us benefit from.

From Nautilus

“I’m going for a feeling of wonderment, a connection across time,” she says.

From MIT Technology Review

His co-captain, Derrik Rose, once detailed, in wide-eyed wonderment, a single meal Joa put away.

From The Daily Beast

At times he just expressed the wonderment and sense of discovery that we associate with the very young.

From The Daily Beast

It was always a complete surprise and I was in a state of wonderment over these creatures.

From The Daily Beast

My piece of technological wonderment is small and black and helps tell time like a watch.

From The Daily Beast

There needs to be wonderment—it can even approach something like fear.

From The Daily Beast

He gazed at us all in wonderment, and, overcome by mingled shame and exhaustion, I sank into a chair and popped no more.

From Project Gutenberg

Only an instant of blurred wonderment at her presence up there—then a frenzy possessed him.

From Project Gutenberg

I reined up my horse in wonderment and stared at him, and he came close to my side, so that I could see him plainly.

From Project Gutenberg

In truth, it was always a matter of wonderment to the boys that their veteran guide adopted the course he followed that night.

From Project Gutenberg

Jerome gazed at them each in turn, his show of wonderment increasing.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amazement
• awe
• bewilderment
• curiosity