wonder1 verbwonder2 nounwonder3 adjective
wonderwon‧der1 /ˈwʌndə $ -ər/ ●●● S1 W2 verb [intransitive, transitive] 
VERB TABLE
wonder
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | wonder |
| he, she, it | wonders | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | wondered |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have wondered |
| he, she, it | has wondered | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had wondered |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will wonder |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have wondered |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am wondering |
| he, she, it | is wondering | |
| you, we, they | are wondering | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was wondering |
| you, we, they | were wondering | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been wondering |
| he, she, it | has been wondering | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been wondering |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be wondering |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been wondering |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He wondered whether he would be able to find the hotel again.
- He says he's had no formal training but when you see how good his work is, you start to wonder.
- I wonder if she'll recognize me after all these years.
- And Laura begins to wonder why her husband has become so erratic.
- Garner wonders if things would have turned out differently for Edward if she had been able to spend more time with him.
- Groggy with heat, Jackie wondered feebly if they changed the sign with every birth and death.
- She wondered if she could think with what was left of her grey matter.
- Sometimes he wondered why his father hated him.
- Sometimes I wonder now whether I dreamed some of it, so much was just unbelievable, so grotesque.
- The picture forces the viewer to wonder at the subject of the crowd's attention.
Longman Language Activatornot sure if something is true or if something will happen
· "What time does the film start?" "I think it's 8.30, but I'm not sure."not sure how/whether/when etc · I'm not sure where she lives.· I'm not sure how long it will take the bus to get there.not sure about · If you're not sure about the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictionary.not sure of · Use the 'Filesearch' function if you are not sure of the name of a file.can't be sure spoken (=when you think something is true, but you are not completely sure) · I can't be sure, but I think I saw Maggie coming out of the hospital this morning.
not sure about something. Not certain is more formal than not sure: · The man you're looking for could be Keith, but I'm not certain.not certain about: · I'm not certain about what time the buses come - I usually cycle.not certain how/why/where etc: · I'm really not certain how much fuel we've got left.
to not be at all sure if something is true or if something will happen: · "How old is she?" "Oh, I don't know - fifty, fifty-five?"not know if/whether/how etc: · I phoned her but I don't know if she got my message.· We do not know whether the lake is safe for swimming in.not know for sure especially spoken: · It could be this week but it might be much later. We don't know for sure.
Unsure and uncertain are more formal than not sure and not certain .: unsure/uncertain about: · I'm still a bit unsure about how to use this software.unsure/uncertain of: · Many workers are still unsure of their rights.unsure/uncertain who/what/whether etc: · David decided to become a teacher but was uncertain which subject to specialize in.
a feeling of not being sure whether something is true or correct: doubt about: · There are still some doubts about her suitability for the job.doubt as to: · There seems to be some doubt as to what warnings were given.
to think about something that you are not sure about, and try to guess what is true, what will happen, etc: · He says he's had no formal training but when you see how good his work is, you start to wonder.wonder if/how/whether etc: · I wonder if she'll recognize me after all these years.· He wondered whether he would be able to find the hotel again.
to make someone feel unsure about something: make sb unsure/uncertain about · The news about the bomb made me uncertain about travelling to the area.make sb unsure/uncertain of · Her previous experiences made her very unsure of the wisdom of marrying again.
to make people become unsure about something they were previously fairly sure about: · I don't want to raise too many doubts, but I wonder whether he's really fit for the job.raise doubts about/over: · Her report has raised doubts about the likely success of this project.raise doubts in somebody's mind: · The new evidence raised doubts in the minds of jury members.
especially spoken use this to say that something makes you unsure about a previous belief: · They obviously know each other. It makes you wonder.it makes you wonder if/whether etc: · So many people believe in astrology, it makes you wonder if it's all true.· His behaviour after hearing my news made me wonder if he knew more than he had told me.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY
What are they going to do now, I wonder? He’s been leaving work early a lot – it makes you wonder, doesn’t it? The sight filled her with childlike excitement. I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB
What are they going to do now, I wonder? He’s been leaving work early a lot – it makes you wonder, doesn’t it? British English (=I am not surprised) I don’t wonder you’re tired.
I don’t wonder you’re tired. British English (=I would not be surprised about something) He’ll come back soon enough, I shouldn’t wonder.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He’ll come back soon enough, I shouldn’t wonder. The sight filled her with childlike excitement. (=have a very good effect on something)· A new haircut can do wonders for your self-confidence.
I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.· I also wondered about why we never saw Nellie's Dad and eventually I asked her about him.· Or perhaps out of real curiosity about a problem he must have long wondered about.· It was something she'd been wondering about.· I done buried a whole lot of people, but she the first one I ever wondered about.· I wondered about my financial position.· I wondered about how he responded to the rebuke his parents must have given him.· For a moment, Sarah wondered about the people whose work it was every day to compose such messages.· Last, they wondered about themselves.
· He remembered the menacing phone-calls to Nicola and wondered aloud whether some one from a drugs syndicate had been trying to scare her.· It was a verbal disaster for Stockdale, who wondered aloud what he was doing there.· How does one write a travel book, I'd wondered aloud, how describe the sheer physicality of life?· The natives welcomed his message to Christians but wondered aloud why it was so ineffective.· It also shows in their embarrassed defensiveness when foreigners wonder aloud whether their public life is in need of change.· I nodded in agreement, and I wondered aloud whether she did the same things with feelings.· Some commentators have wondered aloud why this should have been so.
· I've never held it against him, but I've always wondered why.· I watched the ravens returning to roost on many evenings, always wondering if Jack might be among them.· I always wondered where her constant stream of men came from.· Those who quit too soon, always wonder what might have been.· I always wonder where you are, what you're doing, if you're all right.· I had always wondered why the Catholic Church insists on celibacy vows for its clergy.· I always wondered if the Stirling would clear the Matterhorn and it always did with plenty to spare.· She always wondered whether better, more prompt care of her hands might have made a difference in the long run.
· Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in an antique shop?· Ever wondered if there is actually life beyond the cul-de-sac?· Have you ever wondered what all those ingredients listed on packaged food are?· Ever wonder how ice cream and yogurt are made?· Does she ever wonder what Gary is thinking?· I done buried a whole lot of people, but she the first one I ever wondered about.· Ever wonder what to say back to a rude waiter?
· I wonder how long he will be.· I wonder how many other deer hunters will be able to brag of a similar feat.· Ruth went down, then climbed up again into the dunes, wondering how she was going to find Adam.· I wonder how a convict would manage to bring a thing like that out with him.· He wondered how much Sir Charles was worth.· I wondered how anyone could work in a place where this sound was so loud.· I wondered how you are getting on?· One can only wonder how Neely can continue to play under Kasper.
· If that's the case, I wonder just how many people write labels that no-one else can read.· One has to wonder just how much serious dedication and concern there really is at the Herald.· Makes you wonder just how he gets his players going.· Then you wonder just how they can control the ball, the racquet and consequently the game with such nonchalance.· I often wonder just how extraordinary some of our customs must appear to those who have no experience of churchgoing.· She lingered, wondering just how he felt now, having given it all up.· As he turned down the passageway Ian wondered just how true that would turn out to be.· He stood in front of her threateningly, and she wondered just what he had in mind for her.
· I've often wondered lately who his men friends were.· I often wondered who got more out of it.· I very often wonder how they do as they do today.· Visitors often wondered who the figures were because until 1990 the statue had no plaque or sign.· I have often wondered where they do come from but confess that I have absolutely no idea.· I often wonder where some of this stuff does go.· Since then I've often wondered whether I shouldn't have gone ahead and simply presented him with the bill.· I often wondered why he was a lawyer.
· She sometimes wondered how assassins who weren't telepathic managed it.· I sometimes wondered, even as a twelve-year-old, who could possibly fulfill her expectations.· He sometimes wondered why she hadn't thought of that.· I wonder sometimes, wonder how much is fabricated and how much is truth.· He wondered sometimes if they even understood the questions.· He is in the fifteenth year of his labor and sometimes wonders if he is becoming bodiless.· Not surprisingly, Angela could quote all the reviews even if she sometimes wondered what exactly they were trying to say.· I sometimes wonder if I should expose my two children to football.
· She also wondered if Miss Hardbroom and the class would begin to wonder where she was, after a while.· They were wondering where she was at that very moment.· He remembers wondering where that path led.· Fergus woke in utter darkness, wondering where he was; he felt as though he was falling backwards for ever into darkness.· Nico responded by pledging his fealty to Bolcarro, but you wonder where those columns came from.· Chesarynth wondered where the old woman had gone.· It also makes you wonder where Tom Berenger got his agent.
· Then we wonder why we have no energy.· Slowly she replaced the receiver, wondering why did the past always eventually find you-sometime?· The mind may still be active and alert. 9 Don't lie awake for ages wondering why you are not sleeping.· I wonder why she kept it.· Indeed this is so clear that I sometimes wonder why so much effort usually goes into attempting to prove it.· Lance wondered why no articles were done about how she spent her Christmas.· He sometimes wondered why she hadn't thought of that.· Upon reflection, we might wonder why such an economy does not collapse in complete chaos.
NOUN· In despair he wondered what on earth he was doing.· All of which leaves many observers wondering what on earth is the appeal of such violent, repellent music.· I wonder how on earth we worked the 1979 and 1983 elections without them.· Not for the first time in the last twenty-four hours Kate wondered what on earth had happened to her child.· A second later and Fabia was wondering what on earth she was thinking about.· We wondered what on earth was happening.· And Mains sat and wondered what on earth was going on.· Doubts came rushing in as she stared at her reflection, wondering what on earth had possessed her to buy it.
VERB· As they hurried down dusty, echoing staircases, Mungo began to wonder whether he would have enough money.· I began to wonder what would happen if I asked the children to write about pictures of themselves.· I began to wonder if my fellow-victims were having similar traumas.· While John Carter waited in custody, local police began wondering about the strange disappearance of the farmer's second wife.· And Laura begins to wonder why her husband has become so erratic.· Alistair began to wonder whether Sixsmith actually existed.· Yet, conservation biologists have begun to wonder if these long-hoped-for changes bode well for the land.
· Now, I can't help wondering how much of that money you're going to see?· Finally, one can not help but wonder how the managers attitudes toward their bosses influenced their treatment of their own subordinates.· She couldn't help but wonder what the effect would be if he ever said anything worth listening to.· Juliet couldn't help wondering where David lived, since it was much further on.· One can not help wondering what future generations will think of our freaks and follies.· As they crept along they could not help wondering what they would find.· Afterwards Leith could not help wondering if perhaps, with more experience of men, she might not have handled it better.· But looking at the past track record of the present Government, one can't help wondering.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a nine days’ wonder
- I wonder if you could help me.
- For a few days I wondered if it could be used mysteriously in some odd and wonderful crepe batter.
- I didn't tell you this the other day when I made you all laugh. I wonder whether I am odd.
- I let a moment pass. I wondered if I could just shut up and let the subject die.
- I was beginning to enjoy the game. I wondered if she was enjoying it too.
- In fact, I wonder if, ethically, we should even be asking people to organize.
- It was by now that and I wondered whether chilli had been a good choice for a hot meal.
- Mind you, I wonder if, at their age, they realise that kippers are smoked herrings.
- Mr. Howard I wonder whether the hon. Gentleman is citing Lambeth council as a model of efficiency and good practice.
- I was wondering if you could babysit tomorrow night.
- We were wondering if you'd like to come with us.
- Actually, I was wondering if I could paint the room?
- I guess I was wondering if people would still call me a hippie if I cut my hair off, you know.
- Next weekend. I was wondering if you fancied coming along for the ride.
- We were finally talking about bodies. I was wondering whether he would ever make a move.
- In any case, she had now got to thinking of other things.
- Then they got to thinking that maybe you were dead.
- There's blood in your body, and I get to thinking about what would happen if your blood froze.
- When you've been around guys like Mr. B. awhile, you get to thinking the way they think.
WORD FAMILYadjectivewonderfulwonderwondrousnounwonderwondermentverbwonderadverbwonderfully
1to think about something that you are not sure about and try to guess what is true, what will happen etcwonder 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?2I wonder if/whether spoken used to ask politely for something SYN may I: I wonder if I might have a drink?3I 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.4to feel surprised and unable to believe somethingwonder 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.5to 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!GRAMMAR: Patterns with wonder• You wonder what will happen: · I wonder what she’ll say when she finds out.• You wonder what would happen if something else happened (when talking about imaginary situations):· I wonder what would happen if I said that I was leaving.• You wonder if you should do something: · I wonder if we should tell her.wonder1 verbwonder2 nounwonder3 adjective
wonderwonder2 ●●○ noun WORD ORIGINwonder2
Origin:
Old English wundorEXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- How could snow not be the wonder of the world?
- It had given me a world of wonder and time to draw it all in.
- It is small wonder that they want out.
- Not through explanation-that only illuminates the real wonder.
- The sense of wonder was swiftly followed by another emotion.
- This graphic view of the Internet has introduced millions to the wonders of digital photos and graphics.
- You shake your head with wonder at your previous, late-night concerns.
Longman Language Activatornot surprising
if something is not surprising or hardly surprising , you are not surprised by it because the situation makes it very likely to happen: · Now she's frightened to go out at night, which is hardly surprising after what happened to her.it is not surprising/hardly surprising (that): · It's not surprising that you're tired - you've been out every night this week.
if something is no surprise or comes as no surprise , you are not surprised when it happens, because you expected it to happen: it is no surprise/it comes as no surprise: · It came as no surprise when President Santos announced his resignation.· Both Jade's parents are doctors so it was no surprise when she went to medical school.be no surprise/come as no surprise that: · After years of struggle, it came as no surprise that the company went bankrupt.be no surprise/come as no surprise to: · It was no surprise to anyone when they finally said that they were getting a divorce.
spoken say this when you are not surprised about something bad that has happened because you can clearly see the reasons for it: · "I'm starving." "I'm not surprised, you haven't eaten all day.''I'm not surprised (that): · I'm not surprised that she's fed up with him.
spoken say this when you realize the reason why something happened, so that it is not surprising any more: · No wonder my camera wasn't working - there's no battery in it!
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The sight filled her with childlike excitement. I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
The sight filled her with childlike excitement. (=have a very good effect on something)· A new haircut can do wonders for your self-confidence.
I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.· Apparently the latter was a thing of great wonder.· He was without a wife, which was a great wonder, he being well-proportioned and of handsome countenance.
· It was little wonder that, during this time, Gergiev proved difficult to pin down for a promised meeting.· In that context, 22-year-old Faulkner said the shaky start to coeducation at the Citadel was little wonder.· It is little wonder, therefore, that Carmarthen retains so much of its countryside influences.· It is little wonder that this figure cast what almost amounted to a spell over aspiring black sportsmen.· There is little wonder that organising the parade was difficult.· Michelle was 23 weeks and four days pregnant when the little wonder arrived on April 3.· It is little wonder then, given these handicaps of sheer physiology, that chimps are incapable of speech.· Given the individuality of voice, it is little wonder that people also vary enormously in their communicating habits.
· These natural wonders occur only here and in the gulf of Tonkin: connoisseurs rate Phang Nga.· On the other hand, routes were arranged, or altered, so a person could visit some natural wonder.· Inset Tourists now reach Victoria Falls: poster advertising its natural wonders.· After all the racing among natural wonders, the mile-deep canyon cliffs made us stand absolutely still.· That settled, we wandered down to the river looking for food and natural wonders.· Working natural wonders in the energy world.· A selection of tours to many of the natural wonders of the world.· The day culminates with your arrival at the Grand Canyon, one of the natural wonders of the world.
· It is small wonder that he sought quiet and freedom from external pressure to follow his inner vision.· It is small wonder that the idea of setting sail for an un-known land grew less and less attractive to him.· It's small wonder, then, that Assam tea should offer such full-bodied bright liquor. perfect served with milk.· With all this, small wonder it also has tourists.
NOUN· Once more in conflict with Stroheim, the young boy wonder of Metro had Stroheim replaced and the film drastically cut.· The boy wonder is 43 now.· Little Walt, the apple of my eye, the freckle-faced boy wonder.
VERB· And the visit of a white lady from afar will do wonders for his reputation!· The shock alone would do wonders.· Prohibition did wonders to establish organised crime.· It does wonders for the individual, and it brings families together.· This new role will do wonders for the silent opposition within his own ranks.· Younger talents can invigorate a team and do wonders for the payrolls; just look at Atlanta and Montreal.
· Louisa was filled with a terrible wonder at Frere's ignorance.· This had been my first airplane flight, filled with wonder upon wonder.· As it fell with a crash they looked that way, and the next moment all of them were filled with wonder.
· Special teaching and therapy, plenty of encouragement and stimulation can work wonders.· Time also has worked wonders, pruning many of the bad investigative reporters and retaining many of the good ones.· This will work wonders in terms of future sales.· Failing that, lectures don't seem to work but subtle, unspoken signs can work wonders.· And worry can work wonders in helping you find solutions to entrepreneurial challenges.· His fixed 8.5 percent mortgages - he subsidises the building societies' normal rates - have worked wonders.· A bit of Windex works wonders.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► (it’s) no/small/little wonder (that)► wonders will never ceasePHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a nine days’ wonder
- It's a wonder no one got hurt.
- But it's a wonder he doesn't.
- Pretty deep there; it's a wonder it didn't slice the top of his head off.
- She thought, as she spoke, it's a wonder that I have anything to report.
- The way Max's biological clock is ticking, it's a wonder Emma didn't call out the bomb squad.
- Though it's a wonder she did not spot the writing on the wall.
- A long weekend away from work will do wonders for your peace of mind.
- A very little bit of sugar works wonders for dishes that are based on sour tastes.
- And the visit of a white lady from afar will do wonders for his reputation!
- Failing that, lectures don't seem to work but subtle, unspoken signs can work wonders.
- It does wonders for the individual, and it brings families together.
- Special teaching and therapy, plenty of encouragement and stimulation can work wonders.
- This will work wonders in terms of future sales.
- Time also has worked wonders, pruning many of the bad investigative reporters and retaining many of the good ones.
- In any case, she had now got to thinking of other things.
- Then they got to thinking that maybe you were dead.
- There's blood in your body, and I get to thinking about what would happen if your blood froze.
- When you've been around guys like Mr. B. awhile, you get to thinking the way they think.
WORD FAMILYadjectivewonderfulwonderwondrousnounwonderwondermentverbwonderadverbwonderfully
1admiration 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 World2(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.3surprising it’s a wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that something is very surprising: It’s a wonder no one got hurt.4do/work wonders to be very effective in solving a problem5wonders will never cease spoken used humorously to show you are surprised and pleased about something6clever person [singular] British English someone who is good at doing difficult things → a nine days' wonder at nine(3)wonder1 verbwonder2 nounwonder3 adjective
wonderwonder3 adjective [only before noun] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a new wonder drug
- Eric Hahn will replace Marc Andreessen, the 26-year-old wonder boy who helped to write the Mosaic browser.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a new wonder drugCOLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES The sight filled her with childlike excitement. I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
a new wonder drug The sight filled her with childlike excitement. (=have a very good effect on something)· A new haircut can do wonders for your self-confidence.
I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past.· A traumatic birth brought wonder boy Jeremy.· Eric Hahn will replace Marc Andreessen, the 26-year-old wonder boy who helped to write the Mosaic browser.
· Cortisone was hailed as a wonder drug for a whole host of skin problems and inflammatory disorders.· The team invents a wonder drug to cure depression.· The wonder drug was duly acquired and miraculously did the trick.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► a nine days’ wonder
- In any case, she had now got to thinking of other things.
- Then they got to thinking that maybe you were dead.
- There's blood in your body, and I get to thinking about what would happen if your blood froze.
- When you've been around guys like Mr. B. awhile, you get to thinking the way they think.
WORD FAMILYadjectivewonderfulwonderwondrousnounwonderwondermentverbwonderadverbwonderfully
very good and effective: a new wonder drug