wonder
wonder — noun
1. the strong positive feeling you have when you see or experience something beauti
the strong positive feeling you have when you see or experience something beautiful, new, or unexpected — a mix of surprise, pleasure, and a wish to understand it better.
The children watched the shooting star with wide-eyed wonder.
collocation: with wonder
Élise felt a sense of wonder as she walked through the ancient forest for the first time.
collocation: sense of wonder
The newborn baby filled the whole family with wonder and joy.
collocation: fill someone with wonder
Visitors to the coral reef stared in wonder at the fish swimming all around them.
Owen lost his sense of wonder about science after years of memorising formulas.
- sense of wonder
- with wonder
- in wonder
- fill with wonder
- childlike wonder
- wide-eyed wonder
- awe
stronger, mixed with fear or respect; 'He stood in awe of the volcano'
- amazement
focuses on surprise more than admiration; 'To his amazement, the door opened by itself'
- astonishment
great surprise, often without the admiration element
- indifference
lack of interest or feeling
Grammar Patterns
fill someone with wonder
in wonder
sense of wonder
with wonder
Usage Note
Used in fixed phrases like 'in wonder', 'with wonder', and 'sense of wonder'. Often collocates with verbs of seeing or experiencing (watch, stare, feel, fill).
Common Mistakes
2. something that is very impressive, unusual, or beautiful, especially in nature o
something that is very impressive, unusual, or beautiful, especially in nature or human achievement, making people feel surprise and admiration.
The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.
collocation: wonder of the world
The new bridge is an engineering wonder that connects two islands.
Dewi spent the afternoon exploring the wonders of the science museum.
collocation: the wonders of [something]
It is a wonder that the old house survived the earthquake without any damage.
pattern: it is a wonder that…
Lan showed her younger brother the wonders of the night sky through a telescope.
- natural wonder
- wonder of the world
- engineering wonder
- explore the wonders of
- it is a wonder that
Grammar Patterns
the wonders of [noun]
it is a wonder that…
wonder + of + noun
Usage Note
Common in the phrase 'the wonders of [something]' to list impressive features. 'It is a wonder that…' is a fixed expression meaning 'it is surprising that…'.
Common Mistakes
3. a person who is extremely talented or effective at doing something, often in a w
a person who is extremely talented or effective at doing something, often in a way that surprises or impresses others.
The young pianist was a wonder at playing Chopin before the age of ten.
pattern: a wonder at [gerund]
Gita is a wonder when it comes to fixing old cars — she can repair almost anything.
In the kitchen, Hugo was an absolute wonder; his cakes won first prize at the fair.
The nurse was a wonder with frightened children, calming them down in minutes.
pattern: a wonder with [noun]
- a wonder at
- a wonder with
- an absolute wonder
- miracle worker
more informal and common; 'That teacher is a miracle worker with difficult students'
- genius
focuses on intellectual ability rather than practical skill
- prodigy
specifically a young person with exceptional talent
Grammar Patterns
[noun] is a wonder at [gerund/noun]
Usage Note
Used predicatively — 'is a wonder at/with [something]'. This sense is less common in modern everyday speech; 'miracle worker' is a more frequent alternative.
Common Mistakes
4. a feeling of curiosity, doubt, or uncertainty that makes you want to ask questio
a feeling of curiosity, doubt, or uncertainty that makes you want to ask questions or find out more about something.
No wonder the cake was so good — Ramón used real butter and fresh eggs.
idiom: no wonder
Small wonder that Sivan felt tired after running fifteen kilometres without stopping.
idiom: small wonder
It is a wonder that Christopher managed to finish the race with a broken shoe.
pattern: it is a wonder that…
A sense of wonder about the ocean led Yara to become a marine biologist.
- no wonder
- small wonder
- it is a wonder
- sense of wonder
- curiosity
focuses on the desire to know; 'Her curiosity about space led her to study astronomy'
- doubt
more negative, focuses on uncertainty; 'He had his doubts about the plan'
- puzzlement
suggests confusion rather than active curiosity
Grammar Patterns
[pronoun] + wonder
no/not/hardly + wonder
Usage Note
This sense overlaps with noun sense 1 but differs in focus: sense 1 emphasises admiration and pleasure, while sense 4 emphasises curiosity and the desire to learn. Most commonly appears in the fixed expressions 'no wonder' and 'small wonder'.
wonder — verb
1. having questions in your mind because you want to learn more, find answers, or d
having questions in your mind because you want to learn more, find answers, or decide what to do — this is the everyday sense used when you are curious about something.
Jabari wondered why the train was running half an hour late today.
pattern: wonder + why-clause
Nkechi wondered whether her friend would remember their dinner appointment.
pattern: wonder + whether-clause
The children wondered what was inside the big blue box that arrived by post.
pattern: wonder + what-clause
Owen often wonders about the meaning of life when he looks up at the stars.
pattern: wonder + about + noun
I wonder how the chef manages to prepare such delicious meals in just thirty minutes.
pattern: wonder + how-clause
- wonder why
- wonder what
- wonder if
- wonder whether
- wonder about
- wonder how
- ponder
more formal, suggests deeper or longer thought; 'She pondered the question for several days'
- speculate
suggests guessing without evidence; 'They speculated about the reasons for the delay'
- ask oneself
more literal and direct; 'I asked myself whether I had made the right choice'
- know
opposite mental state — certainty instead of curiosity
Grammar Patterns
wonder + wh-clause (who/what/where/when/why/how)
wonder + whether/if + clause
wonder + about + noun/gerund
wonder + at + noun/gerund
Usage Note
Frequently followed by a wh-clause (what, where, why, how, who) or if/whether. 'Wonder about' is used for general curiosity about a topic. 'Wonder at' (formal) means to feel surprise about.
Common Mistakes
2. used to politely introduce a request, question, or suggestion — makes what you a
used to politely introduce a request, question, or suggestion — makes what you are asking sound less direct and more considerate of the other person's willingness.
I wonder if you could help me carry this heavy suitcase down the stairs.
pattern: I wonder if you could + verb
I was wondering whether the meeting might be rescheduled for next Tuesday.
pattern: I was wondering whether… might…
Hugo wondered if the hotel could provide an extra blanket for the cold night.
Gita wondered whether the librarian could suggest a good book about astronomy.
I wonder if you would mind turning down the music while I am on the phone.
pattern: I wonder if you would mind + gerund
- I wonder if
- I was wondering if
- I wonder whether
- I was wondering whether
- would you mind
similar politeness level but different structure; 'Would you mind closing the window?'
- could you please
slightly less formal; 'Could you please pass the salt?'
- might I ask
more formal; 'Might I ask where you bought that jacket?'
Grammar Patterns
I wonder if you could…
I was wondering if you would…
I wonder whether you might…
Usage Note
Past continuous 'I was wondering…' is slightly more polite/hesitant than simple present 'I wonder…'. This sense is NOT about actual wonder/curiosity — it is a fixed polite formula. The following clause typically uses 'could', 'would', or 'might'.
Common Mistakes
❌ Using this formula in very informal situations with close friends — sounds too stiff. Use 'Would you mind…?' or 'Could you…?' instead.
3. to feel or show great surprise about something, often mixed with admiration or d
to feel or show great surprise about something, often mixed with admiration or disbelief.
Élise wondered at the skill of the craftsman who carved the wooden statue by hand.
pattern: wonder at + noun
I wondered to see how quickly the bamboo forest had grown back after the storm.
pattern: wonder to [verb]
The scientists wondered at the complex patterns formed by the flock of birds in the sky.
Visitors to the ancient temple wondered at how the huge stone blocks were moved without modern machines.
- wonder at
- wonder to see
- wonder to hear
- marvel at
synonymous but slightly more common; 'Tourists marvel at the size of the skyscraper'
- be amazed at
more common in everyday English; 'I was amazed at her ability to remember names'
- be astonished
stronger surprise; 'He was astonished to learn the truth'
- expect
when something is not surprising because it was anticipated
Grammar Patterns
wonder at + noun/gerund
wonder to see/hear/find
Usage Note
Much more formal than verb sense 1. 'Wonder at' specifically means 'feel surprised by' — it is not about wanting to know something. This sense is less common in everyday conversation; 'be amazed at' or 'be astonished by' are more frequent alternatives.
Common Mistakes
❌ Using 'wonder at' in casual speech — sounds overly formal. In conversation, say 'I'm amazed at…' instead.
wonder at
phrasal verbto feel great surprise and admiration about something, especially something beautiful, skilful, or unusual (formal).
Art lovers wondered at the detail in the tiny hand-painted miniatures from the fifteenth century.
The tourists wondered at how the locals had built such a strong bridge using only ropes and bamboo.
wonder — adjective
1. extremely good, beautiful, or impressive in a way that fills you with admiration
extremely good, beautiful, or impressive in a way that fills you with admiration or pleasure.
The garden was filled with wonder flowers that bloomed in every colour imaginable.
attributive use before noun
Ramón told us a wonder tale about a dragon that guarded a hidden valley of gold.
At the science fair, Imani was the wonder girl who built a robot from recycled parts.
attributive: wonder girl
The exhibition featured a wonder creation made entirely from recycled glass bottles.
- wonder flower
- wonder tale
- wonder picture
- wonderful
the modern, everyday equivalent; 'We had a wonderful time at the beach'
- magnificent
more formal; 'The palace was a magnificent building'
- splendid
old-fashioned but still used; 'What a splendid view!'
- ordinary
not special or impressive
Grammar Patterns
wonder + noun
Usage Note
This sense is somewhat old-fashioned or literary. In modern everyday English, 'wonderful' is far more common than the standalone adjective 'wonder'. Typically used before a noun (attributive position).
Common Mistakes
2. so impressive, unusual, or beautiful that it causes a strong feeling of surprise
so impressive, unusual, or beautiful that it causes a strong feeling of surprise and admiration.
The wonder machine could print a whole book in less than two minutes.
attributive: wonder + noun (machine)
Children gathered to watch the wonder performance of the acrobat on the tightrope.
The wonder garden contained plants from every continent on Earth.
Yara took her students to see the wonder clock that had moving figures at every hour.
- wonder performance
- wonder machine
- wonder garden
- amazing
much more common in everyday speech; 'We saw an amazing light show'
- astonishing
focuses more on surprise; 'The results were astonishing'
- breathtaking
specifically about visual beauty; 'The view from the mountain was breathtaking'
- unremarkable
not special or worth noticing
Grammar Patterns
wonder + noun (age/machine/event/place)
Usage Note
Often used in advertising, tourism, and informal contexts to describe things that are exciting or impressive. Overlaps with sense 1 but is more modern and less literary.
3. extremely effective in a way that seems almost miraculous — used especially for
extremely effective in a way that seems almost miraculous — used especially for medical treatments, products, or methods that achieve far better results than expected.
The new wonder drug helped patients recover from the infection in just three days.
collocation: wonder drug
An inexpensive wonder cream claimed to remove wrinkles overnight, but nobody believed it.
collocation: wonder cream
Scientists are searching for a wonder cure that can stop the disease from spreading.
collocation: wonder cure
The kitchen gadget was marketed as a wonder tool that could slice, chop, and peel vegetables instantly.
- wonder drug
- wonder cure
- wonder cream
- wonder product
- wonder treatment
- wonder tool
- miracle
similar meaning but stronger — suggests something truly extraordinary; 'a miracle recovery'
- revolutionary
focuses on how new and different it is; 'a revolutionary treatment for heart disease'
- breakthrough
emphasises that it overcomes a previous limitation; 'a breakthrough vaccine'
- ineffective
not producing the desired effect
Grammar Patterns
wonder drug
wonder cure
wonder product
Usage Note
Common in advertising and journalism, often with a sceptical tone — 'wonder drug/cure' may imply the claim is exaggerated. The adjective is always placed before the noun (attributive only).
Common Mistakes
no wonder
idiomused to say that something is not surprising because you know the reason behind it.
No wonder the soup tasted so good — Hugo spent all afternoon cooking it.
No wonder Sivan fell asleep on the train; she had been awake since four in the morning.
small wonder
idioma slightly more formal version of 'no wonder' — meaning something is entirely expected given the circumstances.
Small wonder that the team lost the match after their best player was injured.
With so little rain this year, small wonder that the river has dried up.
it is a wonder
idiomused to express surprise that something has happened or is true, often about something positive that seems unlikely.
It is a wonder that the letter arrived at all, considering it had no postcode on the envelope.
It is a wonder that Dewi finished the marathon with a sprained ankle.
do wonders
idiomto have a very good and noticeable effect on someone or something, especially in improving their condition.
A week of rest by the sea did wonders for Élise after her stressful year at work.
The new software did wonders for the company's productivity in the first month alone.
work wonders
idiomto achieve excellent results or to have a very positive effect, often in a way that surprises people — very similar to 'do wonders'.
The physiotherapy worked wonders on Christopher's knee after the rugby injury.
A simple routine of drinking more water and sleeping eight hours worked wonders for Yara.
Word family
- wonderfuladjectiveA1
- wonderfullyadverbB1
- wondermentnounC1
- wondrousadjectiveC2
- wondrouslyadverbC2
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
These five verbs all relate to thinking, but they differ in what kind of thinking is happening. 'Wonder' is the most everyday word — it means to be curious about something and ask yourself questions in your mind: 'I wonder what time the train arrives.' 'Ponder' suggests deeper, slower, more serious thought over time: 'She pondered the offer for several days before replying.' 'Speculate' means to form guesses without solid evidence: 'Journalists speculated about the reasons for the sudden resignation.' 'Question' means to express doubt or to challenge something: 'The committee questioned the accuracy of the report.' 'Marvel' overlaps with wonder but adds a stronger element of admiration or surprise: 'Tourists marvel at the size of the ancient pyramid.' When you simply want to know something, use 'wonder'. When you are guessing without facts, use 'speculate'. When you are thinking deeply, use 'ponder'.
Common collocations
Nouns
- sense of wonder
- look of wonder
- feeling of wonder
Adverbs
- secretly wonder
- often wonder
- always wonder
- sometimes wonder
- briefly wonder
Phrases
- no wonder
- small wonder
- it is a wonder
- do wonders
- work wonders
- wonder of the world
Prepositions
- wonder about
- wonder at
Etymology
The word 'wonder' comes from Old English 'wundor', which meant a marvellous or miraculous thing, or an object of astonishment. This word is related to Old Saxon 'wundar', Old High German 'wuntar', and Old Norse 'undr'. The original sense was strongly tied to the idea of a miracle or something beyond normal human experience. By the Middle English period, 'wonder' had developed both its noun sense (an amazing thing) and its verb sense (to feel curiosity or surprise). The adjective use ('wonder drug', 'wonder product') is a more recent development, appearing in the 20th century.