wonder

A person or thing that is unusually impressive or beautiful.

• This garden is a wonder.
• She is a wonder with young children.
• We explored the natural wonders of the island.

Similar words: marvel

Common phrases: natural wonder, ancient wonder, a real wonder, wonders of nature

Something that happens so unexpectedly that it is difficult to explain.

• It’s a wonder we arrived on time.
• It was a wonder that nobody got hurt.
• No wonder he was angry about the missing money.

How to use it: it is a wonder (that)… (It is a wonder that the old car still runs.); no wonder (that)… (No wonder she was tired after such a long journey.)

Similar words: miracle, surprise

Common phrases: a wonder that, little wonder, no wonder

Something difficult to understand that makes you stop and think.

• His sudden departure remains a wonder.
• It is a wonder why she kept that broken clock.
• How they found us is still a wonder.

How to use it: it is a wonder why/how… (It is a wonder why nobody noticed the mistake.)

Similar words: mystery, puzzle

Common phrases: a wonder why, a wonder how, remain a wonder

To think about something because you want to know or understand it.

• I wonder where she is.
• He wondered why the train was late.
• Do you ever wonder about life on other planets?

How to use it: wonder about someone/something (I often wonder about my old school friends.); wonder + question word + clause (She wondered where he had gone.); wonder if/whether… (I wonder whether the shop is open.)

Similar words: ask oneself, be curious

Common phrases: wonder about something, wonder why, wonder what happened

If you do this, you think about a question because you want to know the answer.

• I wonder where my keys are.
• She wondered if we needed more bread.
• Have you ever wondered how birds find their way home?

How to use it: wonder about someone/something (I wonder about the people who lived here.); wonder if/whether… (She wondered whether the shop was open.); wonder why/how/what… (I wonder why he left so early.)

Similar words: ask yourself, ponder

Common phrases: wonder about something, wonder why, wonder whether

To politely ask for help or make a suggestion by saying you are thinking about the possibility.

• I wonder if you could help me.
• We wondered whether you would like to join us.
• I was wondering if I could borrow your pen.

How to use it: wonder if/whether someone could/would… (I wonder if you could open the window.); was wondering if/whether… (I was wondering whether we could meet tomorrow.)

Common phrases: wonder if, wonder whether

If you do this, you feel very surprised or impressed by something.

• I wonder at her patience.
• They wondered at the size of the ancient trees.
• Who could see those mountains without wondering at their beauty?

How to use it: wonder at something (We wondered at the beauty of the night sky.)

Similar words: marvel, be amazed

Common phrases: wonder at something, wonder in silence

If you say you do not feel surprised by something, you think it was expected.

• I don't wonder you're tired.
• We didn't wonder that he refused.
• I don't wonder she was angry after waiting so long.

How to use it: not wonder (that)… (I don't wonder that she left after that argument.)

Similar words: be unsurprised

Common phrases: not wonder that, not wonder someone