Wonder

/ˈwʌndə/ · noun

Meaning

(uncountable) A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence..

Definitions by Sense

1. (uncountable) A sense of awe, astonishment and curiosity, inspired by unexpected events, novel experiences and inexplicable circumstances, sometimes accompanied by surprise, shock or reverence.
2. (countable) Something that causes amazement or awe; a marvel.
3. (countable, UK, informal) A mental pondering, a thought.
4. (countable, US) A kind of donut; a cruller.
5. (intransitive) To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel; often followed by at.
6. (transitive, intransitive) To ponder; to feel doubt and curiosity; to query in the mind.

Example Sentences

Socrates: I see, my dear Theaetetus, that Theodorus had a true insight into your nature when he said that you were a philosopher, for wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder. He was not a bad genealogist who said that Iris (the messenger of heaven) is the child of Thaumas (wonder).

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.

All wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance.

Stuff your eyes with wonder […]live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.

Wonders of the World seem to come in sevens.

That concertina was a wonder in its way. The handles that was on it first was wore out long ago, and he'd made new ones of braided rope yarn. And the bellows was patched in more places than a cranberry picker's overalls.

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.

He's married by now, I shouldn't wonder.

Synonyms for wonder

Antonyms for wonder

Related Words

Word Forms

• wonders
• wondre
• wondering
• wondered
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• wonder
• wonderest
• wonderedst
• wondereth
• -

Usage Notes

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