wonder

[ wuhn-der ]

/ ˈwʌn dər /

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See synonyms for: wonder / wondered / wondering / wonders on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to think or speculate curiously: to wonder about the origin of the solar system.

to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe; marvel (often followed by at): He wondered at her composure in such a crisis.

to doubt: I wonder if she'll really get here.

verb (used with object)

to speculate curiously or be curious about; be curious to know: to wonder what happened.

to feel wonder at: I wonder that you went.

noun

something strange and surprising; a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration: That building is a wonder. It is a wonder he declined such an offer.

the emotion excited by what is strange and surprising; a feeling of surprised or puzzled interest, sometimes tinged with admiration: He felt wonder at seeing the Grand Canyon.

miraculous deed or event; remarkable phenomenon.

OTHER WORDS FOR wonder

1 conjecture, meditate, ponder, question.

5 marvel.

7 surprise, astonishment, amazement, bewilderment, awe.

See synonyms for wonder on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about wonder

for a wonder, as the reverse of what might be expected; surprisingly: For a wonder, they worked hard all day.

Origin of wonder

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English wundor; cognate with Dutch wonder, German Wunder, Old Norse undr; (verb) Middle English wonderen, Old English wundrian, derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM wonder

won·der·er, nounwon·der·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use wonder in a sentence

A good cost-benefit ratio can do wonders for selling the rule to the public.
The EPA Refuses to Reduce Pollutants Linked to Coronavirus Deaths|by Lisa Song and Lylla Younes|October 21, 2020|ProPublica
It’s no wonder then that the expert handicappers at The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections and Sabato’s Crystal Ball all rate this race as a toss-up, which factors into the Deluxe version of our forecast.
The Most Vulnerable Incumbent In The House Is A Democrat, But Republicans Are Defending More Competitive Seats|Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com)|October 19, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
It is no wonder, then, that the duchess analyzes her every move and choice of words—before others do.
‘Something, algorithmically, is creating this obsession’: Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex warns against social media addiction|Michal Lev-Ram, writer|October 13, 2020|Fortune
If regulators do not have the resources to properly enforce the laws on the books, it’s no wonder that some lawmakers will start calling for changes to those laws.
Congress made a lousy case for breaking up Big Tech|Amy Nordrum|October 9, 2020|MIT Technology Review

When a crisis like the coronavirus hits, it’s no wonder that many of them struggle and eventually shut their doors.
Why are we letting America’s smallest businesses die?|jakemeth|October 7, 2020|Fortune
Often, on arousing from a deep sleep, one has a sense of calm and wonderless observation as of a new birth.
Jerome, A Poor Man|Mary E. Wilkins Freeman

British Dictionary definitions for wonder (1 of 2)

wonder

/ (ˈwʌndə) /

noun

the feeling excited by something strange; a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and sometimes awe

something that causes such a feeling, such as a miracle

See Seven Wonders of the World

(modifier) exciting wonder by virtue of spectacular results achieved, feats performed, etca wonder drug; a wonder horse

do wonders or work wonders to achieve spectacularly fine results

for a wonder surprisingly or amazingly

nine days' wonder a subject that arouses general surprise or public interest for a short time

no wonder (sentence connector) (I am) not surprised at all (that)no wonder he couldn't come

small wonder (sentence connector) (I am) hardly surprised (that)small wonder he couldn't make it tonight

verb (when tr, may take a clause as object)

(when intr, often foll by about) to indulge in speculative inquiry, often accompanied by an element of doubt (concerning something)I wondered about what she said; I wonder what happened

(when intr, often foll by at) to be amazed (at something)I wonder at your impudence

Derived forms of wonder

wonderer, nounwonderless, adjective

Word Origin for wonder

Old English wundor; related to Old Saxon wundar, Old Norse undr, German Wunder

British Dictionary definitions for wonder (2 of 2)

Wonder

/ (ˈwʌndə) /

noun

Stevie. real name Steveland Judkins Morris. born 1950, US Motown singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His recordings include Up-Tight (1966), "Superstition" (1972), Innervisions (1973), Songs in the Key of Life (1976), and "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (1985)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with wonder

wonder

In addition to the idiom beginning with wonder

wonders will never cease

also see:

for a wonder
no wonder
work wonders

wonder

OTHER WORDS FOR wonder

Idioms about wonder

Origin of wonder

OTHER WORDS FROM wonder

Words related to wonder

How to use wonder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wonder (1 of 2)

Derived forms of wonder

Word Origin for wonder

British Dictionary definitions for wonder (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with wonder