English

Alternative forms

• little wonder, no wonder

Noun

small wonder ‎(uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) An event or fact whose cause or rationale is not difficult to discern; an unsurprising occurrence.
   • 1891, F. Marion Crawford, The Witch of Prague, ch. 24:

     Small wonder if he had loved her for herself, she was so beautiful.

   • 1908, Jack London, Iron Heel, ch. 1:

     Small wonder that I am restless. I think, and think, and I cannot cease from thinking.

   • 1910, Rabindranath Tagore, The King of the Dark Chamber, Scene 1:

     Small wonder that you can't believe my words—you who think yourself sage enough to reject the opinions of your parents and superiors.

   • 1929, Edgar Rice Burroughs, Monster Men, ch. 2:

     That she was beautiful and intelligent could not be denied, and so it was small wonder that she might appeal strongly to any man.

   • 2004, Jeremy Caplan, "What's Cool In the Pool," Time 16 Aug.:

     Small wonder the average cost of new pools has leaped past $30,000.

Usage notes

• Often used as an abbreviated form of the construction "It is small wonder that", as in:

• 1904, Frank Norris, A Man's Woman, ch. 6:

Small wonder he was excited when the life of his dearest friend was threatened.

Translations

References

• small wonder at OneLook Dictionary Search