wonder

If you have an idea about something, you "wonder" about it. We use this word to describe a person’s curiousity and use of the imagination:

• Sam wonders about starting his own business all the time.
• Rihanna wonders if she’ll ever get married.
• Do you ever wonder about life on other planets?
• The students wondered whether the teacher was finished grading their tests.
• I wonder if it’s going to snow today.
• Have you ever wondered what it would be like to really understand English well?
• She wonders if her boyfriend will call her today.

We also use "wonder" when introducing an invitation or request of another person:

• Bob asked Linda, "I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me this weekend?"
• We were wondering if we could get a plumber to come to our house today to fix a leak.
• Our boss is wondering if anyone wants to work extra hours this weekend.

You can also use "wonder" as a noun.

• The little boys eyes were full of wonder when he visited the zoo and saw the lions.
• The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s great natural wonders. ( In this instance, "wonder" means something amazing or incredible.)
• His artwork is a wonder of the imagination.

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This page was first published on January 22, 2012. It was updated on December 25, 2016.