Reading Theme:
Wonder: Definition, Usage & Examples (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：to feel curiosity (wonder)
wonder
/ˈwʌn.dər/
v./n.
to want to know something.
to feel curiosity
➕
/tuː fiːl ˌkjʊə.riˈɒs.ə.ti/
v./n.
The feeling of wanting to know or learn about something; a state of inquisitiveness.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English 'wundrian' (to be amazed), related to 'wundor' (a marvel).
💡 Mnemonic
I wonder if it's a wonder. (A pun connecting the two main meanings.)
📖 Example
I often wonder how birds know exactly where to fly when the seasons change.
I frequently find myself curious about how birds navigate seasonal migrations so precisely.
🔗 Collocations
wonder about – to think about something with curiosity
wonder if – to be curious about whether something is the case
wonder why – to be curious about the reason for something
🔄 Synonyms
🚫 Antonyms
know (v.) – to be aware of something through observation, inquiry, or information
🌱 Derivatives
wonderful (adj.) – inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration
wondrous (adj.) – inspiring a feeling of wonder or delight; marvelous
wonderment (n.) – a state of awed admiration or respect
📖 Cultural Story
The word originates from Old English 'wundrian', akin to German 'Wunder', meaning a miracle or extraordinary thing. Its dual meaning reflects a natural evolution from an external marvel to the internal feeling of curiosity about such marvels.
Meaning 2：a marvel (wonder)
wonder
/ˈwʌn.dər/
v./n.
something amazing and beautiful that makes you feel surprised and happy.
a marvel
➕
/ə ˈmɑː.vəl/
v./n.
Something that causes astonishment or admiration, often due to its extraordinary nature or beauty.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Seeing the Northern Lights for the first time was a true natural wonder that left us speechless.
Witnessing the Aurora Borealis initially felt like encountering a genuine marvel of nature, rendering us silent in awe.
🔗 Collocations
natural wonder – a spectacular feature of the natural world
wonder of the world – one of the most remarkable man-made or natural creations
in wonder – with a feeling of surprise and admiration
🔄 Synonyms
marvel (n.) – a wonderful or astonishing person or thing
miracle (n.) – a surprising and welcome event that is considered impossible to explain by natural laws
phenomenon (n.) – a remarkable or exceptional person or event
🚫 Antonyms
mundanity (n.) – the quality of being very ordinary and therefore not interesting
commonplace (n.) – something ordinary and not special or unusual
🌱 Derivatives
wonderful (adj.) – inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration
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