wonder

8 definitions • 20 examples

to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something:

[ + question word ] Shouldn't you phone home? Your parents will be wondering where you are.

He's starting to wonder whether he did the right thing in accepting this job.

[ + speech ] Will this turkey be big enough for eight, I wonder?

"Have you decided where you're going next summer?" "I've been wondering about (= considering) going to Florida."

used in phrases, at the beginning of a request, to make it more formal and polite:

We were wondering if/whether you'd like to have dinner with us some time?

[ + question word ] I wonder whether you could pass me the butter?

I wonder if you could give me some information about places to visit in the area?

to feel or express great surprise at something:

[ + (that) ] I don't wonder (that) she burst into tears after the way you spoke to her.

a feeling of great surprise and admiration caused by seeing or experiencing something that is strange and new:

The sight of the Grand Canyon stretching out before them filled them with wonder.

The boys gazed in wonder at the shiny red Ferrari.

an object that causes a feeling of great surprise and admiration:

We spent a week visiting the wonders of Ancient Greek civilization.

With all the wonders of modern technology, why has no one come up with a way to make aircraft quieter?

an extremely useful or skilful person:

Our new babysitter's a wonder - she'll come at very short notice and the kids love her.

to think about things in a questioning and sometimes doubting way:

[ I ] I often wonder about those kids.

[ + question word ] I wonder what he is doing here.

[ I ] Don’t you ever wonder if she’s happy?

a feeling of great surprise and admiration, or someone or something that causes such feelings:

[ U ] People simply stared at her in wonder.

[ C ] She’s a wonder!

[ U ] If you didn’t study, no wonder you failed the test.

[ C ] Among the wonders of medicine is anesthetic.