Wonder: meaning, definitions and examples

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wonder

[ˈwʌndər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feelings

desire or be curious to know something

Synonyms

ponder, question, reflect.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wonder	Repeated entry, refer to the first 'wonder' context.
ponder	Use when you are thinking carefully or deeply about something, often for an extended period. He pondered over the meaning of life. She pondered the decision for hours before making up her mind.
question	Use when you are expressing doubts or seeking information. Sometimes it has a connotation of skepticism. I question the accuracy of his statements. She questioned her friend's motives for helping her.
reflect	Use when you are thinking deeply or carefully about past experiences or events. He reflected on his childhood with a smile. After the meeting, she took some time to reflect on the feedback she received.

Examples of usage

I wonder what time it is.
She wondered why he was late.
Have you ever wondered about the meaning of life?

^{Context #2 | Noun}

amazement

a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable

Synonyms

amazement, astonishment, awe.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
wonder	Use this word when you are thinking about something that you find strange, curious, or beautiful. It is often used when questioning or considering something. I wonder if it'll rain tomorrow The children looked at the magician in wonder
amazement	This is used to express a strong feeling of surprise or shock, often in response to something new or unexpected. She stared in amazement as the fireworks lit up the sky His transformation was met with amazement by everybody
astonishment	Similar to amazement but often implies a more intense level of surprise, sometimes verging on disbelief. The announcement left everyone in astonishment Their victory was greeted with astonishment by the spectators
awe	This word indicates a feeling of deep respect, mixed with fear or wonder, often in response to something grand or powerful. The tourists watched the sunset in awe He felt a sense of awe when he stood before the ancient ruins

Examples of usage

The Grand Canyon filled me with wonder.
Her talent is a wonder to behold.
The child's eyes were wide with wonder.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'wundor', which meant a miraculous event or astonishing thing.
Related words in other languages, like 'wunder' in German and 'merveille' in French, show similar roots in expressing amazement.

Philosophy

Philosopher Socrates believed that wonder is the beginning of all knowledge; questioning the world leads to deeper understanding.
In the works of Aristotle, wonder is presented as a catalyst for scientific inquiry, pushing people to explore and discover.

Psychology

Feeling wonder can lead to increased creativity and open-mindedness, as it encourages one to explore new ideas.
Studies show that experiences of wonder can boost happiness and well-being, highlighting its importance in everyday life.

Literature

Many great authors, from Shakespeare to modern writers, have used the theme of wonder to captivate their readers and convey deeper meanings.
Children’s literature often explores wonder in fantastical tales, igniting imagination and curiosity about the world.

Art

Artworks that inspire wonder often feature surreal or unexpected elements, transforming ordinary scenes into extraordinary experiences.
The 'Sublime' in art refers to feelings of wonder mixed with fear or awesomeness, evoking deep emotional responses from viewers.

Translations

Translations of the word "wonder" in other languages:

🇵🇹 maravilha

🇮🇳 आश्चर्य

🇩🇪 Wunder

🇮🇩 keajaiban

🇺🇦 дивина

🇵🇱 cud

🇯🇵 驚異 (きょうい)

🇫🇷 merveille

🇪🇸 maravilla

🇹🇷 mucize

🇰🇷 경이

🇸🇦 عجب

🇨🇿 zázrak

🇸🇰 zázrak

🇨🇳 奇迹 (qíjī)

🇸🇮 čudež

🇮🇸 undur

🇰🇿 ғажайып

🇬🇪 სასწაული

🇦🇿 möcüzə

🇲🇽 maravilla

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,347, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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2344 consisting
2345 framework
2346 extending
2347 wonder
2348 television
2349 valid
2350 replaced
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