Ponder Meaning
/ˈpɒn.də/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo wonder, think of deeply.
verbTo consider (something) carefully and thoroughly.
Sentence Examples
Ponder deeply over it.
Let's ponder that for a moment.
There are times when people ponder the meaning of life.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She sat alone in the quiet room to deeply ____ her future career choices.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She sat quietly by the window to ____ the difficult decision she had been putting off for weeks.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English ponderen, from Old French ponderer (“to weigh, balance, ponder”) from Latin ponderāre (“to weigh, ponder”), from pondus (“weight”), from pendere (“to weigh”); see pendent and pound.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ponder the path of thy feet."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 4:26:
"[A]lthough thou beeſt blameleſs and unſpotted as to thy outvvard Life and Converſation, ſo that none can ſay, black is thine Eye, as to any groſs Sin; yet knovv, that God pondereth thy Heart, and ranſacketh every Corner of thy Soul, and obſerves the Motions of thoſe very Luſts that vvar vvithin thee, and prevail againſt thee."
— a. 1709 (date delivered), William Beveridge, “Sermon LXXXV. Repentance, a Certain, and the Only Method of Obtaining Pardon.”, in The Works of the Right Reverend Father in God, Dr. William Beveridge, Late Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. […], volume II, London: […] William Taylor, […], published 1720, →OCLC, page 69:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
She sat alone in the quiet room to deeply ____ her future career choices.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She sat quietly by the window to ____ the difficult decision she had been putting off for weeks.