Look-alike words

Wander vs. Wonder

Wander means to walk or move around without a fixed path or goal. Wonder means to be curious about something, or a feeling of amazement. You wander through a park and wonder what time it is.

Word	Part of speech	Meaning
wander	verb	to move around slowly with no clear plan, or to drift away from a place or topic
wonder	verb	to be curious about something or want to know it
wonder	noun	a feeling of amazement, or something that causes that feeling

Wander

verb: to move around slowly with no clear plan, or to drift away from a place or topic

We wandered through the old part of town for hours.
My mind tends to wander during long meetings.

Wonder

verb: to be curious about something or want to know it

I wonder if the store is still open.
Priya wondered why the bus hadn't come.

noun: a feeling of amazement, or something that causes that feeling

The kids stared at the giant whale skeleton in wonder.
It's a wonder the old car still runs.

How to remember the difference

Wander has an A, as in a walk around the block. Wonder has an O, like the O your mouth makes when you are amazed.

Good to know

They sound different: wander rhymes with ponder, and wonder rhymes with thunder. Wanderer and wondrous follow the same split.

Spot the mistake

I ~~wander~~ wonder if it will snow this weekend.
Correct: I wonder if it will snow this weekend.
Don't let the dog ~~wonder~~ wander off without a leash.
Correct: Don't let the dog wander off without a leash.

Check yourself

Pick the word that fits each sentence.

1. The tourists liked to the side streets without a map.

2. I what the new teacher will be like.