Refine this word faster

Stronger alternatives Opposite tone Use in context Cross-language nuance

Wonder

//ˈwʌndə// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun

1
A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence. uncountable
"And they knew that it was hee which ſate for almes at the beautifull gate of the Temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened vnto him."
2
Any of the Wonders of the World.
3
a state in which you want to learn more about something wordnet
4
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel. countable
"Wonders of the World seem to come in sevens."
5
something that causes feelings of wonder wordnet

Show 9 more definitions

6
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.; Fortunate circumstances. countable, uncountable
"That stay in the country did her wonders."
7
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising wordnet
8
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.; An astonishing and seemingly inexplicable turn of events. countable, uncountable
"The idea was so ridiculous that it's a wonder anyone went along with it."
9
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality wordnet
10
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.; A feat that demonstrates incredible finesse or skill, as if performed by magic. countable, uncountable
"Given the limited resources, he's really performed wonders."
11
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.; Someone very talented at something, a genius. countable, uncountable
"He's a wonder at cooking."
12
Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.; A nominalizer that serves as a head noun for the preceding adjective, which together form a mocking or insulting epithet. colloquial, countable, sarcastic, uncountable
"So the voiceless wonder speaks at last."
13
A mental pondering, a thought. UK, countable, informal
"Miss Paynter had a little wonder as to whether the man, as she called Mr. Lacy in her own mind, had ever been admitted to this room. She thought not."
14
A kind of donut; a cruller. US, countable

Verb

1
To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel; often followed by at. intransitive
"He's married by now, I shouldn't wonder."
2
have a wish or desire to know something wordnet
3
To ponder; to feel doubt and curiosity; to query in the mind. intransitive, transitive
"He wondered whether penguins could fly. She had wondered this herself sometimes."
4
place in doubt or express doubtful speculation wordnet
5
be amazed at wordnet

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English wonder, wunder, from Old English wundor (“wonder, miracle, marvel”), from Proto-West Germanic *wundr, from Proto-Germanic *wundrą. Cognate with Scots wunner (“wonder”), West Frisian wonder, wûnder (“wonder, miracle”), Dutch wonder (“miracle, wonder”), Low German wunner, wunder (“wonder”), German Wunder (“miracle, wonder”), Danish, Norwegian and Swedish under (“wonder, miracle”), Icelandic undur (“wonder”). The verb is from Middle English wondren, from Old English wundrian, which is from Proto-Germanic *wundrōną. Cognate with Saterland Frisian wunnerje, West Frisian wûnderje, Dutch wonderen, German Low German wunnern, German wundern, Swedish undra, Icelandic undra. Via PIE cognate with English wish (see more).

Etymology 2

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation

Mini challenge

Unscramble this word: wonder