wonder

Universal Words verb, noun verb 1 ~ (about sth) to think about sth and try to decide what is true, what will happen, what you should do, etc: [Vwh-] I wonder who she is. * I wonder why he left his job. * I was just beginning to wonder where you were. * [V] 'Why do you want to know?' 'No particular reason. I was just wondering.' * We were wondering about next April for the wedding. * [Vspeech] 'What should I do now?' she wondered. 2 [Vwh-] used as a polite way of asking a question or asking sb to do sth: I wonder if you can help me. * I was wondering whether you'd like to come to a party. 3 ~ (at sth) to be very surprised by sth: [V] She wondered at her own stupidity. * (BrE, spoken) He's gone and left us to do all the work, I shouldn't wonder (= I wouldn't be surprised if he had). * [V(that)] I wonder (that) he didn't hurt himself jumping over that wall. * I don't wonder you're tired. You've had a busy day. noun 1 [U] a feeling of surprise and admiration that you have when you see or experience sth beautiful, unusual or unexpected SYNAWE: He retained a childlike sense of wonder. * She gazed down in wonder at the city spread below her. 2 [C] something or a quality in sth that fills you with surprise and admiration: The Grand Canyon is one of the natural wonders of the world. * the wonders of modern technology * That's the wonder of poetry-you're always discovering something new. * the Seven Wonders of the ancient world 3 [sing.] (informal) a person who is very clever at doing sth; a person or thing that seems very good or effective: Geoff, you're a wonder! I would never have thought of doing that. * Have you seen the boy wonder play yet? * a new wonder drug IDIOMS do wonders (for sb/sth) to have a very good effect on sb/sth: The news has done wonders for our morale. (it's) no / little / small wonder (that)... 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. it's a wonder (that)... (especially spoken) it is surprising or strange: It's a wonder (that) more people weren't hurt. wonders will never cease (spoken, usually ironic) a phrase used to express surprise and pleasure at sth: 'I've cleaned my room.' 'Wonders will never cease!' work wonders to achieve very good results: Her new diet and exercise programme has worked wonders for her. moreatCHINLESS, NINE