I. won ‧ der 1 S1 W2 /ˈwʌndə $ -ər/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ wonderful , ↑ wonder , ↑ wondrous ; noun : ↑ wonder , ↑ wonderment ; verb : ↑ wonder ; adverb : ↑ wonderfully ]
1 . to think about something that you are not sure about and try to guess what is true, what will happen etc
wonder who/what/how etc
I wonder how James is getting on.
What are they going to do now, I wonder?
wonder if/whether
I wonder if I’ll recognize Philip after all these years.
He’s been leaving work early a lot – it makes you wonder, doesn’t it?
2 . I wonder if/whether spoken used to ask politely for something SYN may I :
I wonder if I might have a drink?
3 . I was wondering if/whether
a) spoken used to ask someone politely to help you:
I was wondering if I could borrow your car?
b) used to ask someone politely if they would like to do something:
I was wondering if you’d like to come to dinner.
4 . to feel surprised and unable to believe something
wonder about/at
Sometimes I wonder about his behaviour.
wonder how
I wonder how he dares to show his face!
I don’t wonder British English (=I am not surprised)
I don’t wonder you’re tired.
I shouldn’t wonder British English (=I would not be surprised about something)
He’ll come back soon enough, I shouldn’t wonder.
5 . to doubt or question whether something is true:
‘Is she serious?’ ‘I wonder.’
wonder if/whether
Sometimes I wonder if he’s got any sense at all!
II. wonder 2 BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ wonderful , ↑ wonder , ↑ wondrous ; noun : ↑ wonder , ↑ wonderment ; verb : ↑ wonder ; adverb : ↑ wonderfully ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: wundor ]
1 . ADMIRATION
a) [uncountable] a feeling of surprise and admiration for something very beautiful or new to you SYN awe :
The sight of the Taj Mahal filled us with wonder.
b) [countable] something that makes you feel surprise and admiration:
technological wonders
the Seven Wonders of the World
2 . (it’s) no/small/little wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something:
No wonder you’ve got a headache, the amount you drank last night.
3 . SURPRISING it’s a wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that something is very surprising:
It’s a wonder no one got hurt.
4 . do/work wonders to be very effective in solving a problem
5 . wonders will never cease spoken used humorously to show you are surprised and pleased about something
6 . CLEVER PERSON [singular] British English someone who is good at doing difficult things
⇨ nine days wonder at ↑ nine (3)
III. wonder 3 BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ wonderful , ↑ wonder , ↑ wondrous ; noun : ↑ wonder , ↑ wonderment ; verb : ↑ wonder ; adverb : ↑ wonderfully ]
very good and effective:
a new wonder drug