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Definition of wonder noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

wonder

noun
 
/ˈwʌndə(r)/
 
/ˈwʌndər/
Idioms
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  1. [uncountable] a feeling of surprise and pleasure that you have when you see or experience something beautiful, unusual or unexpected synonym awe
    • He retained a childlike sense of wonder.
    • in wonder She gazed down in wonder at the city spread below her.
    • His eyes were filled with wonder at the sights before him.
    Extra Examples
    • Neville shook his head in wonder at it all
    • She held her breath with wonder and delight.
    • The children's faces were full of wonder as they gazed up at the Christmas tree.
    • There aren't any words to express properly all the wonder that I feel.
    Topics Feelingsb1
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • great
    • childlike
    • wide-eyed
    verb + wonder
    • feel
    • express
    • be filled with
    wonder + noun
    • drug
    preposition
    • in wonder
    • with wonder
    • wonder at
    phrases
    • a feeling of wonder
    • a sense of wonder
    See full entry
  2. [countable] something that fills you with surprise and pleasure synonym marvel
    • The temple, built in 1403, is an architectural wonder.
    • wonder of something The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.
    • the wonders of modern technology
    • the Seven Wonders of the World (= the seven most impressive structures of the ancient world)
    • That's the wonder of poetry—you're always discovering something new.
    • technological wonders
    Extra Examples
    • The Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world.
    • Iceland is full hot springs and other natural wonders.
    • Iceland is full hot springs, beautifully coloured rocks, and other natural wonders.
    • Now it is your turn to discover the wonder of Bermuda.
    • Thanks to the wonders of modern science, many common diseases will soon be things of the past.
    • The palace has been described as the eighth wonder of the world.
    • The restored painting is a wonder to behold.
    • It's all become possible, thanks to the wonders of modern technology.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • natural
    • architectural
    • technological
    verb + wonder
    • discover
    • experience
    • explore
    phrases
    • do wonders (for somebody/​something)
    • work wonders (for somebody/​something)
    • is it any wonder (that)…?
    See full entry
  3. [singular] (informal) a person who is very clever at doing something; a person or thing that seems very good or effective
    • Dita, you're a wonder! I would never have thought of doing that.
    • Have you seen the boy wonder play yet?
    • a new wonder drug
    Extra Examples
    • We always go to her for the flowers. She's a wonder!
    • The club's new boy wonder scored two goals in the second half.
    • the new boy wonder of French football
    • She was determined to prove she was no seven-day wonder whose promise would remain unfulfilled.
    • The band aren't the one-hit wonders some had feared: their second album contains some great rap music.
    • The band was a one-hit wonder in the '80s—no one has heard of them since.
    • The public thinks we're a bunch of gutless wonders.
    • Cortisone was hailed as a wonder drug for a whole host of skin problems.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • natural
    • architectural
    • technological
    verb + wonder
    • discover
    • experience
    • explore
    phrases
    • do wonders (for somebody/​something)
    • work wonders (for somebody/​something)
    • is it any wonder (that)…?
    See full entry
  4. Word OriginOld English wundor (noun), wundrian (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wonder and German Wunder, of unknown ultimate origin.
Idioms
a chinless wonder
  1. (British English, humorous, disapproving) a young, upper-class person who is considered weak and stupid
do wonders (for somebody/something)
  1. to have a very good effect on somebody/something
    • The news has done wonders for our morale.
    • The change of diet has done wonders for my skin.
it’s a wonder (that)…
  1. (informal) it is surprising or strange
    • It’s a wonder (that) more people weren’t hurt.
a nine days’ wonder
  1. a person or thing that makes people excited for a short time but does not last very long
(it’s) no/little/small wonder (that)…
  1. it is not surprising
    • It is little wonder (that) she was so upset.
    • (informal) No wonder you're tired—you've been walking for hours.
    • No wonder you're still single—you never go out!
wonders will never cease
  1. (informal, usually ironic) a phrase used to express surprise and pleasure at something
    • ‘I've cleaned my room.’ ‘Wonders will never cease!’
work wonders
  1. to achieve very good results
    • Her new diet and exercise programme has worked wonders for her.
    Topics Successc2
See wonder in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee wonder in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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