Wonder

UK: /ˈwʌndə/ US: /ˈwʌndɚ/ ,(wun′dər)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

Wonder / ˈwʌndə/ noun

1. Stevie, real name Steveland Judkins Morris. born 1950, US Motown singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His recordings include Up-Tight (1966), "Superstition" (1972), Innervisions (1973), Songs in the Key of Life (1976), and "I Just Called to Say I Love You" (1985)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

won•der /ˈwʌndɚ/   v. 

1. to think about and ask oneself about something;
   to be curious about;
   speculate: [no object]
   says he didn't do it, but I still wonder.
   [~ + clause]
   I wonder what she's doing tonight.
2. to be filled with awe or amazement;
   be stunned;
   marvel:
   [no object] I have often wondered at her cleverness.
3. This word is sometimes used to introduce a request:
   [~ + clause] I wonder if you would help me.

n. 

4. a feeling of amazement, puzzled interest, or reverent admiration:
   [uncountable] We were filled with wonder when we saw the great cathedral.
5. a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration:
   [countable] one of the wonders of the ancient world.

adj. [before a noun]

6. being very good or amazing in effect or ability:
   a new wonder drug.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

won•der  (wun′dər), v.i. 

1. to think or speculate curiously:
   to wonder about the origin of the solar system.
2. to be filled with admiration, amazement, or awe;
   marvel (often fol. by at):
   He wondered at her composure in such a crisis.
3. to doubt:
   I wonder if she'll really get here.

v.t. 

4. to speculate curiously or be curious about;
   be curious to know:
   to wonder what happened.
5. to feel wonder at:
   I wonder that you went.

n. 

6. something strange and surprising;
   a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration:
   That building is a wonder. It is a wonder he declined such an offer.
7. the emotion excited by what is strange and surprising;
   a feeling of surprised or puzzled interest, sometimes tinged with admiration:
   He felt wonder at seeing the Grand Canyon.
8. miraculous deed or event;
   remarkable phenomenon.
9. for a wonder, as the reverse of what might be expected;
   surprisingly:
   For a wonder, they worked hard all day.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English wundor; cognate with Dutch wonder, German Wunder, Old Norse undr; (verb, verbal) Middle English wonderen, Old English wundrian, derivative of the noun, nominal

won′der•er, n. 
won′der•less, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. conjecture, meditate, ponder, question.
• 5. marvel.
• 7. surprise, astonishment, amazement, bewilderment, awe.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

wonder / ˈwʌndə/ noun

1. the feeling excited by something strange; a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and sometimes awe
2. something that causes such a feeling, such as a miracle
3. See Seven Wonders of the World
4. (modifier) exciting wonder by virtue of spectacular results achieved, feats performed, etc: a wonder drug, a wonder horse
5. do wonders, work wonders ⇒ to achieve spectacularly fine results
6. for a wonder ⇒ surprisingly or amazingly
7. nine days' wonder ⇒ a subject that arouses general surprise or public interest for a short time
8. no wonder ⇒ (sentence connector) (I am) not surprised at all (that): no wonder he couldn't come
9. small wonder ⇒ (sentence connector) (I am) hardly surprised (that): small wonder he couldn't make it tonight

verb (when tr, may take a clause as object)

1. when intr, often followed by about: to indulge in speculative inquiry, often accompanied by an element of doubt (concerning something): I wondered about what she said, I wonder what happened
2. when intr, often followed by at: to be amazed (at something): I wonder at your impudence

Etymology: Old English wundor; related to Old Saxon wundar, Old Norse undr, German Wunder

ˈwonderer noun