# wonder

/ˈwəndɝ/ (US) · /wˈʌndɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wonder
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to be curious

verb · CEFR B1

to think about something because you want to know more about it or you are not sure about it.

For teachers: to ponder or feel curiosity about something; to query a matter in one's mind.

- I wonder why the shop is closed so early today.
- Economists wonder whether the recent shift in consumer spending is a temporary reaction or a permanent change in market behaviour.

Usage: Often followed by 'if', 'whether', or question words like 'why' and 'how'.

### 2. to be amazed

verb · CEFR B2

to feel very surprised or full of admiration for something.

For teachers: to be affected by surprise or admiration; to marvel at a specific stimulus.

- Visitors often wonder at the size of the ancient cathedral.
- The researchers could only wonder at the complexity of the neural pathways they were observing for the first time.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'at'.

### 3. a feeling of awe

noun · CEFR B1

a feeling of surprise and admiration, often because something is beautiful or new.

For teachers: a state of awe or admiration inspired by something beautiful, unexpected, or inexplicable.

- The children looked at the fireworks with wonder in their eyes.
- The sheer scale of the mountain range filled the hikers with a sense of wonder that stayed with them for years.

### 4. a marvel

noun · CEFR B1

something that is very impressive, beautiful, or surprising.

For teachers: an object, person, or event that causes amazement or great admiration.

- The Great Wall of China is one of the wonders of the world.
- The new medical treatment is a wonder of modern science, saving lives that would have been lost a decade ago.

### 5. a quick thought

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

a quick thought or a moment of thinking about something.

For teachers: a brief period of mental pondering or a casual thought.

- I'll have a wonder about where we should go for dinner.
- After having a quiet wonder about the proposal, she decided to ask for more specific details before signing.

Teaching tip: This sense is specifically British and very informal; 'have a think' is a more common alternative in the same register.

## Examples

- The children looked at the fireworks with wonder.
- The first time she saw the Grand Canyon, she was filled with a sense of wonder at its scale.
- Modern science often seeks to explain the mechanics of the natural world without diminishing the sense of wonder that such complexity inspires in the observer.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.