Wonder vs Wander
Published January 27, 2023. Updated January 27, 2023.
Wonder and wander are verbs that sound and look similar, but they have very little in common besides that. Wonder, as a verb or a noun, deals with things that are awe-inspiring or marvelous, or the action of feeling awe-inspired. The verb form can also deal with pondering about something with a sense of curiosity or doubt. Wander is a verb that means to walk, drive, or travel in some other form without a specific destination or to stray away from something or someone.
Here are some definitions and examples to help make the use of these words clearer.
Wonder (verb)
1) To think about something or ponder with a sense of curiosity or doubt
Examples:
She wondered if she’d really seen a ghost, or if it was just a hallucination.
I wonder what they’re doing right now.
2) To feel awe-inspired or to marvel at something or someone. Used less often than the first definition.
Examples:
I wondered at the idea of space travel.
He wondered at the pyramids in Egypt.
Wonder (noun)
1) Something or someone that inspires awe.
Examples:
The kid was a wonder at the piano.
Which World Wonder do you wish you could visit most?
2) Something that makes one think or ponder about something with a sense of awe.
Examples:
I stared in wonder at the giant robot.
The universe is so random that it’s a wonder that we’re even here at all.
Wander (verb)
1) To walk, drive, or travel in some way without a specific destination.
Examples:
She wandered around the campus and explored each building.
I wander around town when I need some time to myself.
2) To stray away from something or someone.
Examples:
The child wandered away from his parents when they weren’t looking.
Don’t wander too far from the apartment complex, or you might get lost.
Main Points
- Wonder can be a noun or a verb. In both forms, it deals with a sense of awe.
- Wonder as a verb can also mean to think about something with a sense of doubt or curiosity.
- Wander is a verb that means to travel without a specific destination or to stray away from something/someone.