What does wondrous mean?
Wondrous is an adjective meaning inspiring wonder, amazement, or admiration. It is used for things that seem extraordinarily beautiful, impressive, unusual, or moving, often presenting them in a vivid or elevated light. The word commonly appears in descriptions of scenic sights, remarkable events, striking works of art, and memorable experiences: a wondrous sunset, a wondrous achievement, or a wondrous tale. Unlike the broader and more everyday wonderful, wondrous often suggests awe or amazement and has a noticeably literary or poetic register. It can describe natural beauty and human accomplishments alike, although it is especially associated with spectacles and emotionally powerful encounters. Wondrous is therefore useful when the intention is not merely to praise something but to convey that it exceeds ordinary expectations and leaves the observer impressed. Its uncommon, old-fashioned sound also gives writing a slightly elevated or nostalgic quality.
adjectiveInspiring wonder or amazement; remarkable or extraordinary in a way that evokes admiration or awe.
- Inspiring wonder, amazement, or admiration; remarkably beautiful, impressive, or extraordinary.
"The moonlit mountains offered a wondrous spectacle across the valley."
"The ancient forest was filled with wondrous sounds and unfamiliar birds."
"Her performance was so precise and expressive that the audience responded with wondrous applause."
Wondrous belongs to the family of wonder: it describes something so striking that it makes the world seem newly miraculous.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does wondrous come from?
Wondrous developed in Middle English from wonder and the suffix -ous. Its ancestry lies in Old English wundor, meaning “wonder” or “marvel,” which is also the source of wonder. The adjective has long been used in elevated English, particularly in descriptions of striking sights and remarkable events.
Related word forms
How wondrous is actually used
Wondrous is formal and literary, and is less common in everyday speech than wonderful. It often conveys a sense of awe, spectacle, or amazement, rather than simply indicating that something is very good.
Easily confused with wondrous
Both describe something that inspires delight or admiration, but wonderful is the more common everyday word, whereas wondrous has a more literary, elevated, and often awestruck tone.