How Do You Spell Wonderful?

  • Eseandre Mordi

  • 19 Feb 2024

In the English language, certain words capture the essence of beauty and amazement, leaving a lasting impression on the listener. One such word is "wonderful," which often gets muddled in spelling. This article explores the correct spelling of this expressive word, common mistakes, and its rich history and usage.

Correct Spelling of Wonderful

The correct spelling of the word in question is wonderful. This word is composed of two parts: "wonder," which implies amazement or awe, and the suffix "-ful" meaning "full of." Thus, wonderful literally means "full of wonder." It is crucial to pay attention to the sequence of letters and the ending to avoid any spelling mistakes.

How can remember the correct spelling

To remember the correct spelling of wonderful, think of the word "wonder" and then simply add "-ful" at the end, as if something is full of wonder. Another technique is to break the word down into syllables when you write it: won-der-ful. Practicing these tips will help you remember its spelling.

Common Spelling Mistakes

  • Wounderful - This mistake happens due to the incorrect vowel sequence after "w".
  • Wonderfull - Doubling the "l" is a common error, likely influenced by words like "full."

These mistakes are considered incorrect because they deviate from the standard spelling of wonderful by altering its vowels and consonants.

Definition and Etymology of Wonderful

The word wonderful is an adjective used to describe something inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; it is extremely good or marvellous. Etymologically, "wonderful" has its roots in the Old English words "wundor" meaning a marvel or wondrous thing and "ful" implying full of. Over centuries, the term evolved to embody an all-encompassing sense of something awe-inspiring or admirable.

Transcription of Wonderful

The phonetic transcription of wonderful in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is /ˈwʌn.dɚ.fəl/ for American English and /ˈwʌn.də.fʊl/ for British English. This reflects the subtle differences in pronunciation between these two variants of English. Pronouncing the word slowly, syllable by syllable, can aid in grasping its correct phonetic representation.

Examples of Using of Wonderful

  • The view from the mountaintop was absolutely wonderful.
  • She had a wonderful time at the party.
  • Their performance was simply wonderful; it took my breath away.

These examples illustrate the versatile use of wonderful in sentences to express a high degree of pleasure or admiration.

FAQ

What does the word mean? 
Wonderful means causing delight, pleasure, or admiration; extremely good.

Words Closely Related: marvelous, magnificent, superb.

Synonyms: amazing, fantastic, fabulous.

The Difference Between the Words in American and British Versions

There is no difference in the spelling of wonderful between American and British English. However, the pronunciation can slightly vary, as seen in the transcription section. These variations do not affect the spelling but are good to be aware of for better understanding and usage.

Academic Dictionaries

  1. The Oxford English Dictionary.
  2. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
  3. Cambridge Dictionary.


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