wonder
Also found in: Thesaurus, Acronyms, Idioms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia.
wonder
something that causes feelings of wonder; feelings aroused by a marvel; to query in the mind: Sometimes we wonder what we’re here for.
Not to be confused with:
wander – rove, ramble, move about without a fixed course: He tends to wander aimlessly throughout the city.
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
won·der
(wŭn′dər)n.
1.
a. The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or surprising: gazed with wonder at the northern lights.
b. The quality that arouses such emotion: "Her long fair hair was girlish: and girlish, and touched with the wonder of mortal beauty, her face" (James Joyce).
2.
a. One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel: Given all his unhealthy habits, it's a wonder he's lived this long. She was a wonder in that movie.
b. often Wonder A monumental human creation regarded with awe, especially one of seven monuments of the ancient world that appeared on various lists of late antiquity.
3.
a. An extraordinary or remarkable act or achievement: That teacher has worked wonders with these students.
b. An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle.
v. won·dered, won·der·ing, won·ders
v.intr.
1. To have a feeling of awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration: We wondered at the ease with which she settled into her new job.
2. To be filled with curiosity or doubt: I could only wonder after hearing his excuse. I wondered about his late-night comings and goings.
v.tr.
To feel curiosity or be in doubt about: I wondered what kind of costume she would wear. I wondered why I said that.
adj.
Idioms: Remarkable or extraordinary, especially in being beneficial: considers quinoa a wonder grain.
do wonders
To have a beneficial effect: This tonic will do wonders for you.
for a wonder
As a cause for surprise; surprisingly.
[Middle English, from Old English wundor.]
won′der·er n.
Synonyms: wonder, marvel, miracle, phenomenon
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.
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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
wonder
(ˈwʌndə)n
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. (Historical Terms) 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.
vb (when tr, may take a clause as object)
10. (when: intr, often foll 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.
11. (when: intr, often foll by at) to be amazed (at something): I wonder at your impudence.
[Old English wundor; related to Old Saxon wundar, Old Norse undr, German Wunder]
ˈwonderer n
ˈwonderless adj
Wonder
(ˈwʌndə)n
(Biography) 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)
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
won•der
(ˈwʌn dər)v.i.
1. to think or speculate curiously and sometimes doubtfully: to wonder about the truth of a statement.
2. to be filled with awe; marvel (often fol. by at): We wondered at her skill and daring.
v.t. 3. to speculate curiously; be curious to know: I wonder what happened.
4. to feel wonder at: We wondered that you went.
n. 5. a cause of surprise, astonishment, or admiration: It is a wonder he declined such an offer.
6. a feeling of amazement, puzzled interest, or reverent admiration: a sense of wonder at seeing the Grand Canyon.
7. a remarkable or extraordinary phenomenon, deed, or event; marvel or miracle.
[before 900; (n.) Old English wundor, c. Old Saxon wundar, Old High German wuntar, Old Norse undr]
won′der•er, n.
Won•der
(ˈwʌn dər)n.
Stevie (Stevland Morris), born 1950, U.S. pop singer and musician.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
wonder
- admire - Can mean "to wonder at, to be slightly surprised."
- marvel - Traces to Latin mirabilia, from mirari, "wonder at."
- nine days' wonder - An old term (c. 1325) for an event or phenomenon that attracts enthusiastic interest for a short while, but is then ignored or forgotten.
- Wonder Bread - Got its name from a vice president who watched a hot-air balloon race shortly before the bread needed a name—"wonder" is how he described the event and then the bread.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
wonder
1. basic use
The verb wonder is usually used to say that someone thinks about something and tries to guess or understand more about it.
I have been wondering about her strange behaviour.
2. used with wh-clauses
Wonder is often used with wh-clauses.
I wonder what she looks like.
I wonder which hotel it was.
3. used with 'if' and 'whether'
Wonder is also used with if or whether. If you wonder if something is true, you ask yourself whether it is true.
He wondered if she remembered him.
He was beginning to wonder whether it had really happened.
Be Careful!
Don't use a that-clause in sentences like these. Don't say, for example, 'He wondered that she remembered him'.
Wonder is sometimes used with if to make an invitation.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
wonder
Past participle: wondered
Gerund: wondering
Imperative |
---|
wonder |
wonder |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | wonder - the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising amazement, astonishment - the feeling that accompanies something extremely surprising; "he looked at me in astonishment" awe - an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration; "he stared over the edge with a feeling of awe" |
2. | wonder - something that causes feelings of wonder; "the wonders of modern science" | |
3. | wonder - a state in which you want to learn more about something cognitive state, state of mind - the state of a person's cognitive processes desire to know, lust for learning, thirst for knowledge - curiosity that motivates investigation and study interest, involvement - a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something; "an interest in music" curiousness, inquisitiveness - a state of active curiosity | |
Verb | 1. | wonder - have a wish or desire to know something; "He wondered who had built this beautiful church" request - inquire for (information); "I requested information from the secretary" |
2. | wonder - place in doubt or express doubtful speculation; "I wonder whether this was the right thing to do"; "she wondered whether it would snow tonight" meditate, mull, mull over, muse, ponder, chew over, think over, excogitate, reflect, ruminate, speculate, contemplate - reflect deeply on a subject; "I mulled over the events of the afternoon"; "philosophers have speculated on the question of God for thousands of years"; "The scientist must stop to observe and start to excogitate" scruple - have doubts about | |
3. | wonder - be amazed at; "We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
wonder
verb
noun
1. amazement, surprise, curiosity, admiration, awe, fascination, astonishment, bewilderment, wonderment, stupefaction `How did you know that?' Bobby exclaimed in wonder.
2. phenomenon, sight, miracle, spectacle, curiosity, marvel, prodigy, rarity, portent, wonderment, nonpareil a lecture on the wonders of nature
Seven wonders of the ancient world
Colossus of Rhodes, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Pharos of Alexandria, Phidias' statue of Zeus at Olympia, Pyramids of Egypt, temple of Artemis at EphesusCollins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
wonder
noun1. One that evokes great surprise and admiration:
Idioms: one for the books, the eighth wonder of the world.
2. The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring or astounding:
Archaic: admiration, dread.
3. An event inexplicable by the laws of nature:
4. A lack of conviction or certainty:
1. To have a feeling of great awe and rapt admiration:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
العَجَب، الشَّيء المُدْهِشدَهْشَه، تَعَجُّبمُعْجِزَهيَتَسَاءَلُيَتَساءَل، يَشُك، يَنْدَهِش، يَتَعَجَّب
divpřemýšletzázrak
blive overrasketdet fantastiskeforbløffelseforundringspekulere
ihmetelläihmettelyihme
pitati se
csodálkozáseltûnõdik vminszeretné tudni
furîalanga til aî vitaundrast, furîa sig áundrun, furîaundur, furîuverk
怪しむ
기이하게 여기다
įstabusnenuostabunorėti žinotinuostabumasnustebti
aizdomātiesbrīnītiesbrīnumaina īpašībabrīnumsinteresēties
byť zvedavýdiviť sapoložiť si otázku
čudežspraševati sezačudenje
undra
สงสัย
tự hỏi
wonder
[ˈwʌndəʳ]A. N
1. (= feeling) → asombro m
in wonder → asombrado, maravillado
to be lost in wonder → quedar maravillado
in wonder → asombrado, maravillado
to be lost in wonder → quedar maravillado
2. (= object of wonder) → maravilla f; (= cause of wonder) → milagro m
the wonders of science → las maravillas de la ciencia
the Seven Wonders of the World → las Siete Maravillas del Mundo
the wonder of it was that → lo (más) asombroso fue que ...
a nine-day wonder → un prodigio que deja pronto de serlo
it's a wonder that → es un milagro que ...
wonders will never cease! → ¡todavía hay milagros!
to do wonders → obrar milagros
it did wonders for her health → obró milagros en su salud
it's little or no or small wonder that he left → no es de extrañarse que se haya marchado
no wonder! → ¡no me extraña!
he promised wonders → prometió el oro y el moro
to work wonders → obrar milagros
the wonders of science → las maravillas de la ciencia
the Seven Wonders of the World → las Siete Maravillas del Mundo
the wonder of it was that → lo (más) asombroso fue que ...
a nine-day wonder → un prodigio que deja pronto de serlo
it's a wonder that → es un milagro que ...
wonders will never cease! → ¡todavía hay milagros!
to do wonders → obrar milagros
it did wonders for her health → obró milagros en su salud
it's little or no or small wonder that he left → no es de extrañarse que se haya marchado
no wonder! → ¡no me extraña!
he promised wonders → prometió el oro y el moro
to work wonders → obrar milagros
B. VT → preguntarse
if you're wondering how to do it → si te estás preguntando cómo hacerlo
I was just wondering if you knew → me preguntaba si tu sabrías ...
I wonder what he'll do now → me pregunto qué hará ahora
I wonder where Caroline is → ¿dónde estará Caroline?, ¿me pregunto dónde estará Caroline?
I wonder whether the milkman's been → a ver si el lechero ha venido
she wondered whether to go on → no sabía si seguir adelante
I wonder why she said that → ¿por qué diría eso?, me pregunto por qué dijo eso
if you're wondering how to do it → si te estás preguntando cómo hacerlo
I was just wondering if you knew → me preguntaba si tu sabrías ...
I wonder what he'll do now → me pregunto qué hará ahora
I wonder where Caroline is → ¿dónde estará Caroline?, ¿me pregunto dónde estará Caroline?
I wonder whether the milkman's been → a ver si el lechero ha venido
she wondered whether to go on → no sabía si seguir adelante
I wonder why she said that → ¿por qué diría eso?, me pregunto por qué dijo eso
C. VI
1. (= ask o.s., speculate) → preguntarse, pensar
"does she know about it?" - "I wonder" → -¿se habrá enterado ella? -eso mismo me pregunto yo
I wondered about that for a long time → le di muchas vueltas a eso
I was wondering if you could help → te agradecería que me ayudaras
I often wonder → me lo pregunto a menudo
it set me wondering → me hizo pensar
"does she know about it?" - "I wonder" → -¿se habrá enterado ella? -eso mismo me pregunto yo
I wondered about that for a long time → le di muchas vueltas a eso
I was wondering if you could help → te agradecería que me ayudaras
I often wonder → me lo pregunto a menudo
it set me wondering → me hizo pensar
2. (= be surprised) → asombrarse, maravillarse
to wonder at sth → asombrarse de algo, maravillarse de algo
that's hardly to be wondered at → eso no tiene nada de extraño, no hay que asombrarse de eso
can you wonder? → natural, ¿no?
I shouldn't wonder! → ¡sería lógico!
I shouldn't wonder if → no me sorprendería que + subjun
she's married by now, I shouldn't wonder → se habrá casado ya como sería lógico, cabe presumir que está casada ya
to wonder at sth → asombrarse de algo, maravillarse de algo
that's hardly to be wondered at → eso no tiene nada de extraño, no hay que asombrarse de eso
can you wonder? → natural, ¿no?
I shouldn't wonder! → ¡sería lógico!
I shouldn't wonder if → no me sorprendería que + subjun
she's married by now, I shouldn't wonder → se habrá casado ya como sería lógico, cabe presumir que está casada ya
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
wonder
[ˈwʌndər] n
(= amazing person or thing) → merveille f
the wonders of sth → les merveilles de qch
the wonders of modern technology → les merveilles de la technologie moderne
the seven wonders of the world → les sept merveilles du monde
the eighth wonder of the world → la huitième merveille du monde
to work wonders, to do wonders → faire merveille
the wonders of sth → les merveilles de qch
the wonders of modern technology → les merveilles de la technologie moderne
the seven wonders of the world → les sept merveilles du monde
the eighth wonder of the world → la huitième merveille du monde
to work wonders, to do wonders → faire merveille
(= feeling of surprise and admiration) → émerveillement m
(= surprising thing) it's a wonder that → c'est à se demander par quel miracle
It's a wonder that he wasn't seriously hurt → C'est à se demander par quel miracle il n'a pas été sérieusement blessé.
it's no wonder that → ce n'est pas étonnant que + subj
no wonder that → pas étonnant que
small wonder that ... → rien d'étonnant à ce que + subj ...
Small wonder that they feel betrayed → Rien d'étonnant à ce qu'ils se sentent trahis.
It's a wonder that he wasn't seriously hurt → C'est à se demander par quel miracle il n'a pas été sérieusement blessé.
it's no wonder that → ce n'est pas étonnant que + subj
no wonder that → pas étonnant que
small wonder that ... → rien d'étonnant à ce que + subj ...
Small wonder that they feel betrayed → Rien d'étonnant à ce qu'ils se sentent trahis.
modif [goal] → d'anthologie wonder boy, wonder drug, wonder girl
vi
(= be amazed) → s'émerveiller
to wonder at sth (in surprise) → s'étonner de qch; (in admiration) → s'émerveiller de qch
to wonder at sth (in surprise) → s'étonner de qch; (in admiration) → s'émerveiller de qch
vt
(= ask oneself) → se demander
to wonder why → se demander pourquoi
I wonder why she said that → Je me demande pourquoi elle a dit ça.
to wonder what → se demander ce que
I wonder what that means → Je me demande ce que ça veut dire.
I wondered what that noise was → Je me suis demandé ce qu'était ce bruit.
to wonder where → se demander où
I wonder where Caroline is → Je me demande où est Caroline.
to wonder whether → se demander si
to wonder if → se demander si
I wonder if you could help me (= please could you) → peut-être pourriez-vous m'aiderwonder boy n → enfant m prodige
the wonder boy of → l'enfant prodige duwonder drug n → remède m miracle
to wonder why → se demander pourquoi
I wonder why she said that → Je me demande pourquoi elle a dit ça.
to wonder what → se demander ce que
I wonder what that means → Je me demande ce que ça veut dire.
I wondered what that noise was → Je me suis demandé ce qu'était ce bruit.
to wonder where → se demander où
I wonder where Caroline is → Je me demande où est Caroline.
to wonder whether → se demander si
to wonder if → se demander si
I wonder if you could help me (= please could you) → peut-être pourriez-vous m'aiderwonder boy n → enfant m prodige
the wonder boy of → l'enfant prodige duwonder drug n → remède m miracle
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
wonder
n
(= feeling) → Staunen nt, → Verwunderung f; in wonder → voller Staunen; the birth of a baby never loses its wonder → eine Geburt bleibt immer etwas Wunderbares; it fills one with a sense of wonder → es erfüllt einen mit Erstaunen; he has never lost that almost childlike sense of wonder → er hat nie dieses kindliche Staunen verlernt
(= object or cause of wonder) → Wunder nt; the wonder of electricity → das Wunder der Elektrizität; the seven wonders of the world → die sieben Weltwunder; the wonder of it was that … → das Erstaunliche or Verblüffende daran war, dass …; it is a wonder that … → es ist ein Wunder, dass …; it is no or little or small wonder → (es ist) kein Wunder, es ist nicht zu verwundern; no wonder (he refused)! → kein Wunder(, dass er abgelehnt hat)!; to do or work wonders → wahre Wunder vollbringen, Wunder wirken; wonders will never cease! → es geschehen noch Zeichen und Wunder! ? nine
vt I wonder what he’ll do now → ich bin gespannt, was er jetzt tun wird (inf); I wonder why he did it → ich möchte (zu gern) wissen or ich wüsste (zu) gern, warum er das getan hat; I wonder why! (iro) → ich frag mich warum?; I was wondering if you’d like to come too → möchten Sie nicht vielleicht auch kommen?; I was wondering when you’d realize that → ich habe mich (schon) gefragt, wann du das merkst; I was wondering if you could … → könnten Sie nicht vielleicht …
vi
(= ask oneself, speculate) it set me wondering or made me wonder → es gab mir zu denken; why do you ask? — oh, I was just wondering → warum fragst du? — ach, nur so; what will happen next, I wonder? → ich frage mich or ich bin gespannt, was als Nächstes kommt; what’s going to happen next? — I wonder! → was kommt als Nächstes? — das frage ich mich auch!; I was wondering about that → ich habe mir darüber schon Gedanken gemacht, ich habe mich das auch schon gefragt; I’ve been wondering about him → ich habe mir auch schon über ihn Gedanken gemacht; I’ve been wondering about him as a possibility → ich hatte ihn auch schon als eine Möglichkeit ins Auge gefasst; I expect that will be the end of the matter — I wonder! → ich denke, damit ist die Angelegenheit erledigt — da habe ich meine Zweifel or da bin ich gespannt; I’m wondering about going to the party → ich habe daran gedacht, vielleicht auf die Party zu gehen; John, I’ve been wondering, is there really any point? → John, ich frage mich, ob es wirklich (einen) Zweck hat; could you possibly help me, I wonder → könnten Sie mir vielleicht helfen
(= be surprised) → sich wundern; I wonder (that) he didn’t tell me → es wundert mich, dass er es mir nicht gesagt hat; to wonder at something → sich über etw (acc) → wundern, über etw (acc) → erstaunt sein; that’s hardly to be wondered at → das ist kaum verwunderlich; she’ll be married by now, I shouldn’t wonder → es würde mich nicht wundern, wenn sie inzwischen verheiratet wäre
wonder
in cpds → Wunder-;wonder boy
n → Wunderknabe m
wonder drug
n → Wunderheilmittel nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
wonder
[ˈwʌndəʳ]1. n
b. (object or cause of wonder) → miracolo, portento
the wonders of science → i miracoli della scienza
the Seven Wonders of the World → le sette meraviglie del mondo
it is no or little or small wonder that he left → c'è poco or non c'è da meravigliarsi che sia partito
the wonder of it was that ... → la cosa incredibile or sorprendente era che...
to do or work wonders → fare miracoli
no wonder! → non mi meraviglio!
no wonder he got upset → non mi stupisce che si sia arrabbiato
the wonders of science → i miracoli della scienza
the Seven Wonders of the World → le sette meraviglie del mondo
it is no or little or small wonder that he left → c'è poco or non c'è da meravigliarsi che sia partito
the wonder of it was that ... → la cosa incredibile or sorprendente era che...
to do or work wonders → fare miracoli
no wonder! → non mi meraviglio!
no wonder he got upset → non mi stupisce che si sia arrabbiato
2. vt → chiedersi, domandarsi
I wonder whether or if ... → mi chiedo se...
I was wondering if you could give me a lift → mi chiedevo se potessi darmi un passaggio
I wonder where/how/when → mi chiedo dove/come/quando
I wonder whether or if ... → mi chiedo se...
I was wondering if you could give me a lift → mi chiedevo se potessi darmi un passaggio
I wonder where/how/when → mi chiedo dove/come/quando
3. vi
a. (ask o.s., speculate) to wonder about → pensare di
I was wondering about going out for dinner → pensavo di andare fuori a cena, magari
does she know about it? - I wonder → lo sa? - è quello che mi chiedo anch'io
I was wondering about going out for dinner → pensavo di andare fuori a cena, magari
does she know about it? - I wonder → lo sa? - è quello che mi chiedo anch'io
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
wonder
(ˈwandə) noun1. the state of mind produced by something unexpected or extraordinary. He was full of wonder at the amazing sight.
2. something strange, unexpected or extraordinary. the Seven Wonders of the World; You work late so often that it's a wonder you don't take a bed to the office!
3. the quality of being strange or unexpected. The wonder of the discovery is that it was only made ten years ago.
verb1. to be surprised. Caroline is very fond of John – I shouldn't wonder if she married him.
2. to feel curiosity or doubt. Have you ever wondered about his reasons for wanting this money?
3. to feel a desire to know. I wonder what the news is.
ˈwonderful adjective arousing wonder; extraordinary, especially in excellence. a wonderful opportunity; a wonderful present; She's a wonderful person.
ˈwonderfully adverbˈwonderingly adverb
with great curiosity and amazement. The children gazed wonderingly at the puppets.
ˈwonderland (-lӕnd) noun a land or place full of wonderful things.
ˈwondrous (ˈwandrəs) adjective wonderful.
no wonder it isn't surprising. No wonder you couldn't open the door – it was locked!
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
wonder
→ يَتَسَاءَلُ přemýšlet tænke fragen (sich) διερωτώμαι preguntarse ihmetellä se demander pitati se stupirsi 怪しむ 기이하게 여기다 afvragen (zich) undre zastanowić (się) querer saber удивляться undra สงสัย merak etmek tự hỏi 想知道Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
wonder
n. maravilla, prodigio, admiración; admirarse, asombrarse.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012