wonders

won·der

 (wŭn′dər)

n.

1.

a. The emotion aroused by something awe-inspiring, astounding, or surprising: gazed with wonder at the northern lights.

b. The quality that arouses such emotion: "Her long fair hair was girlish: and girlish, and touched with the wonder of mortal beauty, her face" (James Joyce).

2.

a. One that arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration; a marvel: Given all his unhealthy habits, it's a wonder he's lived this long. She was a wonder in that movie.

b. often Wonder A monumental human creation regarded with awe, especially one of seven monuments of the ancient world that appeared on various lists of late antiquity.

3.

a. An extraordinary or remarkable act or achievement: That teacher has worked wonders with these students.

b. An event inexplicable by the laws of nature; a miracle.

v. won·dered, won·der·ing, won·ders

v.intr.

1. To have a feeling of awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration: We wondered at the ease with which she settled into her new job.

2. To be filled with curiosity or doubt: I could only wonder after hearing his excuse. I wondered about his late-night comings and goings.

v.tr.

To feel curiosity or be in doubt about: I wondered what kind of costume she would wear. I wondered why I said that.

adj.

Remarkable or extraordinary, especially in being beneficial: considers quinoa a wonder grain.

Idioms:

do wonders

To have a beneficial effect: This tonic will do wonders for you.

for a wonder

As a cause for surprise; surprisingly.

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[Middle English, from Old English wundor.]

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won′der·er n.

Synonyms: wonder, marvel, miracle, phenomenon
These nouns denote one that evokes amazement or admiration: saw the wonders of Paris; a marvel of modern technology; a miracle of culinary art; a phenomenon of medical science.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.