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wonder

Syllabification: (won·der)
Pronunciation: /ˈwəndər/

Translate wonder | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of wonder

noun

  • a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable:he had stood in front of it, observing the intricacy of the ironwork with the wonder of a child
  • the quality of a person or thing that causes wonder:Athens was a place of wonder and beauty
  • a strange or remarkable person, thing, or event:the electric trolley car was looked upon as the wonder of the age
  • [as modifier] having remarkable properties or abilities:a wonder drug
  • [in singular] a surprising event or situation:it is a wonder that losses are not much greater

verb

[no object]
  • 1desire or be curious to know something:how many times have I written that, I wonder? [with clause]:I can’t help wondering how Stasia and Katie are feeling
  • [with clause] used to express a polite question or request:I wonder whether you have thought more about it?
  • feel doubt:I wonder about such a marriage
  • 2feel admiration and amazement; marvel:people stood by and wondered at such bravery (as adjective wondering)a wondering look on her face
  • be surprised:if I feel compassion for her, it is not to be wondered at

Phrases

I shouldn't wonder

informal, chiefly British I think it likely.

no (or little or small) wonder

it is not surprising:it is little wonder that the fax machine is so popular

ninety-day (or thirty-day or one-day) wonder

something that attracts enthusiastic interest for a short while but is then ignored or forgotten.
(usually ninety-day (or thirty-day) wonder) a person who has had intensive military training for the specified time.

wonders will never cease

an exclamation of great surprise at something pleasing.

work (or do) wonders

have a very beneficial effect on someone or something:a good night’s sleep can work wonders for mind and body

Derivatives

wonderer

noun

wonderingly

adverb

Origin:

Old English wundor (noun), wundrian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wonder and German Wunder, of unknown ultimate origin

wonder in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of wonder in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

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