wonder
won‧der1 S1 W2 /ˈwʌndə $ -ər/ 
verb [intransitive and transitive]
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!
wonder2 noun
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)
wonder3 adjective [only before noun]
a new wonder drug
| I |
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 etcwonder who/what/how etc
wonder if/whether
2. I wonder if/whether spoken used to ask politely for something
SYN may I:
3. I was wondering if/whether
a. spoken used to ask someone politely to help you:
b. used to ask someone politely if they would like to do something:
4. to feel surprised and unable to believe something
wonder about/at
wonder how
I don’t wonder British English (=I am not surprised)
I shouldn’t wonder British English (=I would not be surprised about something)
5. to doubt or question whether something is true:
wonder if/whether
| II |
noun Word Family: adjective: wonderful, wonder, wondrous; noun: wonder, wonderment; verb: wonder; adverb: wonderfully
Language: Old English
Origin: wundor
1. ADMIRATION Origin: wundor
a. [uncountable] a feeling of surprise and admiration for something very beautiful or new to you
SYN awe:
b. [countable] something that makes you feel surprise and admiration:
2. (it’s) no/small/little wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something:
3. SURPRISING it’s a wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that something is very surprising:
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 |
adjective [only before noun] Word Family: adjective: wonderful, wonder, wondrous; noun: wonder, wonderment; verb: wonder; adverb: wonderfully
very good and effective: Wonder
Wonder, Ste‧vie /ˈstiːvi/
(1950–) a US soul singer, songwriter, and piano player who was born blind. He started making records with the Motown record company when he was 12, and became one of the most successful and influential popular musicians in the world. His songs include Superstition (1972) and I Just Called To Say I Love You (1984). His real name is Steveland Morris.
Wonder, Ste‧vie /ˈstiːvi/
(1950–) a US soul singer, songwriter, and piano player who was born blind. He started making records with the Motown record company when he was 12, and became one of the most successful and influential popular musicians in the world. His songs include Superstition (1972) and I Just Called To Say I Love You (1984). His real name is Steveland Morris.