wondrous
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wondrous
1490–1500; metathetic variant of Middle English wonders (genitive of wonder ) wonderful; cognate with German Wunders; spelling conformed to -ous
Explanation
The adjective wondrous is a great word to use when you're describing something amazing or delightful. You could talk about the wondrous view of the ocean from the cliffs where you're standing. There's a hint of magic and awe about the word wondrous. It describes things that inspire wonder, like a wondrous imaginary land or a wondrous display of beautiful, elaborate cakes at a pastry shop. The root is the Old English wundor, "marvelous thing, or object of astonishment." Wondrous is tricky to spell because it's missing the e in wonder.
Vocabulary lists containing wondrous
"Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou
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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Wondrous, overspilling yet always recognizably human, this novel is remarkable.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025
There are many upsetting things in the Vulture story, but one moment on the set of the indie series “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo” is the worst.
From Salon • Feb. 12, 2025
No announcements were made regarding some fan-favorite shows that ran in 2023, including the Disneyland parade Magic Happens and the nighttime Disneyland show Wondrous Journeys.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2023
Not every performance of Wondrous Journeys will include fireworks, but these less dazzling shows will probably be less crowded, too.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 4, 2023
One thick green book immediately catches my eye: The Wondrous Lizards of Madagascar, by L. Roy Jenkins.
From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
