WUHN-durz
/ˈwʌndɚz/
wonders is pronounced WUHN-durz (/ˈwʌndɚz/). wonders (noun, plural) refers to things that arouse awe or admiration; it can also mean astonishing events or phenomena. In everyday use, it often describes remarkable people, objects, or occurrences. The term blends a sense of marvel with curiosity, and the pronunciation remains stable across contexts.
wonders (noun, plural) refers to things that arouse awe or admiration; it can also mean astonishing events or phenomena. In everyday use, it often describes remarkable people, objects, or occurrences. The term blends a sense of marvel with curiosity, and the pronunciation remains stable across contexts.
"The grand canyon never fails to evoke a sense of wonders."
"She spoke of the wonders of the natural world with childlike enthusiasm."
"Researchers marveled at the wonders of quantum physics."
Pronounce as /ˈwɒn.dəz/ in UK English and /ˈwʌn.dərz/ in US English (approximately: WON-derz). The first syllable carries the primary stress. Start with an open-back rounded vowel for the UK (/ɒ/) or a mid-central to rhotacized vowel in the US (/ˈwʌn/). The second syllable uses a reduced schwa or a near-schwa, followed by a voiced z sound. Ensure the /d/ is lightly released between /n/ and /v/ depending on the speed. Listen for the slight yod-like quality in careful speech, but in casual usage, it is often reduced to /-dərz/ (US) or /-dəz/ (UK). Audio references: Cambridge/Forvo, Pronounce for nuances.
Common errors include: 1) Substituting /wɒn/ with a fronted vowel like /wɪn/ or /wʌn/ causing misplacement of the first vowel; 2) Pronouncing the second syllable as /ˈwɒn.dəz/ with a full vowel instead of a reduced schwa; 3) Overpronouncing the final /z/ as /s/ in rapid speech. Correction: keep the first syllable with a back lax vowel /ɒ/ (UK) or /ʌ/ (US) and compress the second syllable into /-dəz/ or /-dərz/ with a light /ɹ/ or none, depending on dialect. Practice with minimal pairs to stabilize the final cluster.
US: /ˈwɒn.dərz/ or /ˈwʌn.dɚz/ with rhotic /ɹ/ in many speakers; UK: /ˈwɒn.dəz/ or /ˈwɒn.dəz/ with non-rhotic tendencies in some dialects; AU: /ˈwɒn.dəz/ with a flattened /ə/ in the second syllable and a more vowel-stable /ɒ/ in the first. The main differences lie in the second syllable vowel quality (/ə/ vs /ɚ/) and rhoticity of the /ər/ sequence. In careful speech, Americans produce /ˈwɒn.dɚz/, Australians align closer to non-rhotic British models but still retain a light /ɹ/ in some regions.
The difficulty stems from the reduced second syllable and the need to blend /n/ and /d/ smoothly into a voiced /z/. The sequence /n.d/ can trap air, causing a slight pause or air leak if not executed as a rapid, connected sequence. Also, the final /z/ requires voicing and sibilance that should not overemphasize the preceding consonant. Working on the transition from /n/ to /d/ to /z/ with light tongue contact helps.
Does the word 'wonders' ever occur with a syllable-timed rhythm that reduces the second syllable more than typical? Yes, in fast informal speech you may hear /ˈwɒn.dəz/ with a very quick, almost elided /d/ and a reduced final /z/, making it sound like /ˈwɒn.dəz/ or /ˈwɒn.dz/. This requires practice to maintain the contrast between the first heavy syllable and the rushed second, ensuring it remains recognizable as two syllables.
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US: /ˈwɜːndərz/ or /ˈwɒn.dɚz/ in fast casual speech; UK: /ˈwɒn.dəz/; AU: /ˈwɒn.dəz/. Vowel quality: US often uses rhotacized /ər/ in the second syllable; UK/AU lean toward a schwa /ə/ in fast speech. Consonants: maintain clear /n/ before /d/; ensure /d/ is not a heavy stop in fast speech; final /z/ should be voiced and not devoiced. IPA references: /ˈwɒn.dəz/ (UK), /ˈwɝːn.dɚz/ (US depending on speaker), with near-silent 'er' in non-rhotic accents.
The word wonders comes from the Old English word wonder, from the verb wunerian 'to marvel, be amazed' which itself traces to Proto-Germanic *wunôjanan (to marvel). The Proto-Indo-European root is believed to be *wen-/*wen- meaning ‘to desire, strive for’ in the sense of being amazed by something extraordinary. In Middle English, wonder had strong religious and awe-imparting connotations, often used in biblical or miraculous contexts. By the 15th century, the plural wonders began to appear in English literature to describe multiple objects of awe, shifting toward secular use in modern times to denote remarkable things or events. The phrase “wonders of” has remained a common collocation, especially in describing natural or scientific marvels, while “wonder” as a verb is less common in plural usage but appears in phrases like “to wonder at.” First known use as a plural noun in English literature dates back to the late 14th century, with references in religious and travel texts that celebrate extraordinary phenomena.
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Words that rhyme with "wonders"
-ers sounds
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