What does "wonder" mean?
A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence.
Wonder
/ˈwʌndə/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence.
- Grammar: wonder is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: marvel, admiration, admiration, admire.
- Useful contrasts: banality, disbelief, ignore.
- Usage evidence: I can only wonder if this is the same for everyone else.
How to use "wonder"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "wonder" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "wonder" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "wonder" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "wonder" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "wonder" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "marvel" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "wonder", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
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
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"I can only wonder if this is the same for everyone else."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "wonder"?
Common synonyms include: marvel, admiration, admiration, admire, agonize, agonize over.
How do you use "wonder" in a sentence?
I can only wonder if this is the same for everyone else.
How do you pronounce "wonder"?
Pronounced /ˈwʌndə/.
Etymology
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).