wonder Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
    admiration; wonderment.
  2. noun something that causes feelings of wonder
    marvel.
    • the wonders of modern science
  3. noun a state in which you want to learn more about something
    curiosity.
  4. verb have a wish or desire to know something
    inquire; enquire.
    • He wondered who had built this beautiful church
  5. verb place in doubt or express doubtful speculation
    question.
    • I wonder whether this was the right thing to do
    • she wondered whether it would snow tonight
  6. verb be amazed at
    marvel.
    • We marvelled at the child's linguistic abilities

WordNet

Won"der noun
Etymology
OE. wonder, wunder, AS. wundor; akin to D. wonder, OS. wundar, OHG. wuntar, G. wunder, Icel. undr, Sw. & Dan. under, and perhaps to Gr. to gaze at.
Definitions
  1. That emotion which is excited by novelty, or the presentation to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great, extraordinary, or not well understood; surprise; astonishment; admiration; amazement.
    They were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. Acts iii. 10.
    Wonder is the effect of novelty upon ignorance. Johnson.
    ✍ Wonder expresses less than astonishment, and much less than amazement. It differs from admiration, as now used, in not being necessarily accompanied with love, esteem, or approbation.
  2. A cause of wonder; that which excites surprise; a strange thing; a prodigy; a miracle. " Babylon, the wonder of all tongues." Milton.
    To try things oft, and never to give over, doth wonders. Bacon.
    I am as a wonder unto many. Ps. lxxi. 7.
Won"der intransitive verb
Etymology
AS. wundrian.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Wondered ; present participle & verbal noun Wondering
Definitions
  1. To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck with astonishment; to be amazed; to marvel.
    I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity of these diminutive mortals. Swift.
    We cease to wonder at what we understand. Johnson.
  2. To feel doubt and curiosity; to wait with uncertain expectation; to query in the mind; as, he wondered why they came.
    I wonder, in my soul, What you would ask me, that I should deny. Shak.
Won"der adjective
Definitions
  1. Wonderful. Obs. Gower.
    After that he said a wonder thing. Chaucer.
Won"der adverb
Definitions
  1. Wonderfully. Obs. Chaucer.

Webster 1913