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

Visitors are invited to embrace the local natural and cultural wonders with the annual Night Fall Star Party, southern California’s prime opportunity to view the night sky with others. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 Apr. 2024

Although fees return Sunday, each day of the week highlights a different reason for keeping natural wonders protected for generations to come. —The Arizona Republic, 21 Apr. 2024

Each vintage the back labels are different, and resemble traditional circus tickets and playbills, containing creative and humorous messages that harken to the olden days of wonder and spectacle. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 21 Apr. 2024

Izakaya Hachi In Torrance, a seat of Japanese American community that predates World War II, options for soba, tempura, yakitori and certainly sushi (including tiny omakase wonder Sushi I-naba) present themselves block by block. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

One of the top tourist attractions in the U.S., this natural wonder draws visitors from all over the world every year to gawk at the views created by roughly 278 miles of river. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024

Their responses ranged from terror to enthusiastic wonder. —Holland Cotter, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2024

That split between free access to outdoor wonders and investment-grade attractions epitomized my experience in the area. —Elaine Glusac, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2024

Numbers’ elegant rounded boxes for row and column numbers and its lucid formula-building bar are wonders to behold. —Edward Mendelson, PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024

Verb

Hauptman wondered if Colby Trickle had something to do with his wife's death. —Iris Carreras, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2024

Since then, people in Hollywood have been wondering what his next project will be, with Belloni providing the answer. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Apr. 2024

After the double album was released Friday, fans wondered if the singer would fit any of the 31 songs into the three-plus hour set. —Bryan West, USA TODAY, 26 Apr. 2024

One wonders what exactly is the Minnesota School Boards Association trying to hide? —Forum Communications Company, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2024

To put it another way, anyone who pays attention to the news outside Arizona — anyone inside it for that matter — might wonder what the heck is going on here. —Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 24 Apr. 2024

Individuals who are deeply invested in Jon Bon Jovi as a person, and wondering how he’s been. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Apr. 2024

Many commenters are wondering how to incorporate this hack into their routine, and fortunately, Coleman has plenty of examples. —Blake Bakkila, Sunset Magazine, 24 Apr. 2024

Parsons wonders if the hot temperatures in the ocean waters are to blame. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 12 Apr. 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