wonder

[ wuhn-der ]
See synonyms for: wonderwonderedwonderingwonders on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to think or speculate curiously: to wonder about the origin of the solar system.

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

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

verb (used with object)
  1. to speculate curiously or be curious about; be curious to know: to wonder what happened.

  2. to feel wonder at: I wonder that you went.

noun
  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  1. miraculous deed or event; remarkable phenomenon.

Idioms about wonder

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

Origin of wonder

1
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 for wonder

Other words from wonder

  • won·der·er, noun
  • won·der·less, adjective

Words Nearby wonder

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use wonder in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for wonder (1 of 2)

wonder

/ (ˈwʌndə) /


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

  2. something that causes such a feeling, such as a miracle

  1. (modifier) exciting wonder by virtue of spectacular results achieved, feats performed, etc: a wonder drug; a wonder horse

  2. do wonders or work wonders to achieve spectacularly fine results

  3. for a wonder surprisingly or amazingly

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

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

  6. 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)
  1. (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

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

Origin of wonder

1
Old English wundor; related to Old Saxon wundar, Old Norse undr, German Wunder

Derived forms of wonder

  • wonderer, noun
  • wonderless, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for Wonder (2 of 2)

Wonder

/ (ˈwʌndə) /


noun
  1. 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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.