wondrous
Americanadjective
adverb
adjective
adverb
Other Word Forms
- wondrously adverb
- wondrousness noun
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.
He felt about genes the way grade-school kids might feel about Santa—genes are wondrous things, capable of delivering just about anything petitioners may desire.
From Slate • Mar. 19, 2026
The average person shouldn’t have to fret that bold ideas and wondrous cinematic visions are being gatekept from them by the people in a boardroom clinging to a conservative agenda.
From Salon • Mar. 6, 2026
The boy who left Oxford all whimsy and loose, would become someone wondrous... the marvellous Dr. Seuss.
From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026
Simply by following her lead, perhaps I can approach my place in the cosmos for the wondrous adventure it is.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
"This is so, Your Grace, but before, not half a year past, we called at Oldtown. From there I bring you a wondrous gift."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
