Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - wonder

~1 v 1 to think about something that you are not sure about and try to guess what is true, what will happen etc  (wonder who/what/how etc)  (I wonder how James is getting on. | What are they going to do now, I wonder? | wonder if/whether/why)  (I wonder if I'll recognize Philip after all these years. | it makes you wonder)  (especially spoken)  (Patrick's reaction made me wonder if he knew more than he'd told me.) 2 I wonder if/whether spoken used to ask politely for something  (I wonder if I might have a glass of water?) 3 I was wondering if/whether a) spoken used to politely ask someone to help you  (I was wondering if I could borrow your car?) b) used to ask someone politely if they would like to do something  (I was wondering if you'd like to come to dinner.) 4 to feel surprised and unable to believe something + about/a  (Sometimes I wonder about his behaviour.) + how  (I wonder how he dares to show his face after last night! | I don't wonder BrE spoken (=I am not surprised))  (I don't wonder you're tired after the day you've had. | I shouldn't wonder BrE spoken (=I would not be surprised about something))  (He'll come back soon enough, I shouldn't wonder.) 5 to doubt or question whether something is true  ("Is she serious?" "I wonder." | wonder if/whether)  (Ken says such stupid things that I wonder if he's got any sense at all!) ~2 n 1 »ADMIRATION« a) a feeling of surprise and admiration for something very beautiful or new to you  (The sight of the Taj Mahal filled us with wonder.) b) something that makes you feel surprise and admiration  (technological wonders | the Seven Wonders of the World) 2 (it's) no wonder/small wonder/little wonder especially spoken used to say that you are not surprised by something  (No wonder you've got a headache, the amount you drank last night.) 3 »SURPRISING« it's a wonder (that) especially spoken used to say that something is very surprising  (It's a wonder Louise remembered to come, she's so scatty.) 4 do/work wonders to be very effective in solving a problem 5 »CLEVER PERSON« BrE someone who is clever at doing difficult things  (Philip's a wonder, the way he manages on his own.) 6 wonders will never cease! spoken humorous used to show you are surprised and pleased about something  (- see also chinless wonder chinless (3), nine days wonder nine (3)) ~3 adj only before noun very good and effective  (a new wonder drug)