wonder
/ˈwʌndər/
noun
Origin
Proto-Germanic
*wundran — a marvel, a monstrous thing
Overview
Meaning Now
- A feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, or inexplicable.
- A person, thing, or event that causes amazement or admiration.
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old English → English
Earliest form
wundor
Earliest period
Old English
Journey
The word originally carried a stronger connotation of something supernatural, monstrous, or terrifying in Old and Middle English, similar to the Greek 'thauma' (a wonder that is also a portent). Over time, the meaning shifted toward the positive, intellectual, and aesthetic appreciation of the inexplicable.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*wundran
“marvel, monster”
- Old English
wundor
“miracle, marvel, wonder”
- Middle English
wonder
“marvel, amazement”
- Modern English
wonder
“feeling of amazement or a marvelous object”
Connections
Word parts
wonder
root
amazement/marvel
Related across languages
Old High German
wuntar
wonder, miracle
Dutch
wonder, miracle
Related words
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.