wonder

1 of 3

noun

won·​der ˈwən-dər 

1

a

: a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel

it's a wonder you weren't killed

the pyramid is a wonder to behold

b

: miracle

2

: the quality of exciting amazed admiration

3

a

: rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience

b

: a feeling of doubt or uncertainty

wonder

2 of 3

verb

wondered; wondering ˈwən-d(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be in a state of wonder

b

: to feel surprise

2

: to feel curiosity or doubt

wondering about the future

transitive verb

: to be curious or in doubt about

wonders why birds sing

wonderer

ˈwən-dər-ər 

noun

wonder

3 of 3

adjective

: wondrous, wonderful: such as

a

: exciting amazement or admiration

wonder toys

b

: effective or efficient far beyond anything previously known or anticipated

a wonder fabric

Synonyms

Noun

• caution
• flash
• marvel
• miracle
• phenomenon
• portent
• prodigy
• sensation
• splendor

Examples of wonder in a Sentence

Noun

The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.

This new computer is a technological wonder.

The child's eyes were filled with wonder during the trip to the circus.

We watched the fireworks show with wonder and amazement.

She gazed up at the tall buildings in wonder.

Is it any wonder why this movie is so popular?

Verb

Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue?

Who could that be at the door, I wonder?

She wondered aloud what to do with the money.

I was wondering about that.

Sometimes his behavior makes me wonder.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Amid a torrent of alarming headlines calling out rising sea temperatures, melting ice sheets and struggling coral reefs, new discoveries about our ocean sparked wonder. —Danielle Hall, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Dec. 2024

Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders that are unseen and unseeable in the world. —Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Orlando Sentinel, 24 Dec. 2024

Verb

But recent news now has fans wondering what’s next for the star… Who is HoYeon Jung’s boyfriend? —Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2024

The news was not received well by many gamers, with most wondering whether building a PC would make more sense. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

Adjective

This was half a century ago, but there is still wonder in his voice. —Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 7 Dec. 2021

It’s no wonder European markets are drooling at the prospect of grabbing a bigger slice of the SPAC pie. —Adrian Croft, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English wundor; akin to Old High German wuntar wonder

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wonder

• a sight/wonder to behold
• boy wonder
• I shouldn't wonder
• little wonder
• nine days' wonder
• no wonder
• one hit wonder
• small wonder
• wonder drug
• wonder-worker
• wonder-working

Kids Definition

wonder

1 of 2 noun

won·​der ˈwən-dər 

1

: something extraordinary or surprising : marvel

the pyramid is a wonder of ancient Egypt

2

a

: a feeling (as awe, astonishment, or uncertainty) caused by something extraordinary, mysterious, or new to one's experience

b

: the quality of exciting wonder

the charm and wonder of the scene

wonder

2 of 2 verb

wondered; wondering -d(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to feel surprise or amazement

2

: to have curiosity or doubt

I wondered about that

wonderer

-dər-ər 

noun

Biographical Definition

Wonder

biographical name

Won·​der ˈwən-dər 

Stevie 1950–     born Stevland Hardaway Judkins American singer, songwriter and instrumentalist