won·der
(wŭńdər)
[Middle English, from Old English wundor.]
noun
- One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel: “The decision of one age or country is a wonder to another” (John Stuart Mill)
- The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or marvelous: gazed with wonder at the northern lights.
- An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle.
- A feeling of puzzlement or doubt.
- A monumental human creation regarded with awe, especially one of seven monuments of the ancient world that appeared on various lists of late antiquity.
verb: -dered, -der·ing, -ders.
intransitive verb
- To have a feeling of awe or admiration; marvel: “She wondered at all the things civilization can teach a woman to endure” (Frances Newman)
- To have a feeling of surprise.
- To be filled with curiosity or doubt.
transitive verb
- To feel curiosity or be in doubt about: wondered what happened.
adjective
- Arousing awe or admiration.
- Wonderful.
- Far superior to anything formerly recognized or foreseen.
idioms
- for a wonder
- As a cause for surprise; surprisingly.
derivatives
- wońder·er
- noun
synonyms:
wonder, marvel, miracle, phenomenon, prodigy, sensation These nouns denote one that evokes amazement or admiration: saw the wonders of Paris; a marvel of modern technology; a miracle of culinary art; a phenomenon of medical science; a musical prodigy; the theatrical sensation of the season.
