Definition of wonder
1a : a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel it's a wonder you weren't killed the pyramid is a wonder to beholdb : miracle
2 : the quality of exciting amazed admiration
3a : rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experienceb : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty
From the M-W Editors
Examples of wonder in a Sentence
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?
Recent Examples of wonder from the Web
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All told, the hotel will offer a more intimate way to experience the wonders of the Blue Lagoon—no need to fight over selfie space here.
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No wonder Mr. Trump wants the Mexicans to pay for it.
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How so much life lives in such small quarters is a wonder that never grows old.
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What could be sweeter, one concludes with Wonka-like wonder, than a first-class lounge?
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Overall, annually, crawfish season does wonders for the Cajun Stop.
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Heat-and-Eat Monday Leftover ham works wonders in Fettuccine and Ham Salad.
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A Swedish company moved them out of the slums and into a house in Tokyo with new wonders for Marianne, from a refrigerator to a vacuum cleaner.
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(Middle grade; ages 8 to 12) Grace Lin has written a middle-grade trilogy of surpassing wonder and emotional weight.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wonder'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of wonder
Middle English, from Old English wundor; akin to Old High German wuntar wonder
wonder
Definition of wonder
wondered
;wondering
play \ˈwən-d(ə-)riŋ\intransitive verb
1a : to be in a state of wonderb : 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
Examples of wonder in a Sentence
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 of wonder from the Web
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Still, all of these issues are up for debate, and one has to wonder why Mr. Moritz appeared to get so personal in his opinion article.
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Now, many prominent political figures are wondering whether hopes for change were premature, and whether Moscow will inevitably remain Washington’s main boogeyman.
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Ever wondered who your favorite stars' BFFs are in real life?
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More than a dozen years later, that decision still leads some to wonder what the board was thinking.
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The recurring problem has led industry experts to wonder whether the problem went beyond sloppy production and resulted from a faulty battery or software design.
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Small wonder both Planned Parenthood and Naral Pro-Choice America now deem his voting record 100% pro-choice.
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Some have wondered whether Moscow might be plotting another intervention.
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Not running from hitmen and wondering if your husband is going to go back to his Yakuza ways.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'wonder'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of wonder
before 12th century
First Known Use of wonder
12th century
Wonder
playDefinition of Wonder
Stevie 1950– born Stevland Hardaway Judkins American singer, songwriter and instrumentalist
WONDER Defined for English Language Learners
wonder
playDefinition of wonder for English Language Learners
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: something or someone that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.
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: a feeling caused by seeing something that is very surprising, beautiful, amazing, etc.
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: something that is surprising or hard to believe
wonder
Definition of wonder for English Language Learners
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: to have interest in knowing or learning something : to think about something with curiosity
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—used to ask a question or make a polite request
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: to feel surprise or amazement
WONDER Defined for Kids
Definition of wonder for Students
wondered
;wondering
1 : to be curious or have doubt I wonder if we're lost.
2 : to feel surprise or amazement We wondered at the number of stars.
Learn More about wonder
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See words that rhyme with wonder Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for wonder Spanish Central: Translation of wonder Nglish: Translation of wonder for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of wonder for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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