Meanings
eighth wonder of the world1
alternative eighth Wonder of the World · alternative 8th wonder of the world · alternative 8th Wonder of the World
- figurativelySomething, especially a structure, building, natural formation or (sometimes) an individual, animal, or other entity that is considered to be highly remarkable, magnificent or wonderful; a wonder of the world.
but all agreed that Luba Pneumatiç was a lollapaloosa, the Eighth Wonder of the World.
1967, F-R Publishing Corporation (publisher), The New Yorker, page 414 more examples
Escurial, a village of New Caſsile, celebrated for it's^([sic]) monaſtery, built by Philip II. of Spain, in 1563, and accounted by the Spaniards the eighth wonder of the world. It conſiſts of a royal palace, a church-houſe, built after the plan of Peter's at Rome, cloiſters, a college, library, ſhops of different artiſts, apartments for a great number of people, beautiful walks, large alleys, an extenſive park, and fine gardens.
1795, John Walker, The Universal Gazetteer, Darton and Harvey, page ESEAt thirty, Joseph paid a return visit to his native village. He was hailed as an eighth wonder of the world; Steepleday having produced but one other seaman in a century, and he was but a waterman, who never came back, and held no rank therefore in village history.
1865, Percy Bolingbroke St John, Paul Peabody: or, The Apprentice of the World, London: John Maxwell and Company, page 3I rode the first cable car on California Street -- well, maybe not the very first but it was the first day. The Eighth Wonder of the World.
1977, Howard Fast, The Immigrants, page 323The Amber Room was originally designed in the early 18th Century as an opulent 16sq m showpiece chamber for Frederick I, the King of Prussia. […] The Russian Baroque marvel became known as the "eighth wonder of the world".
2021 May 7, Irina Sedunova, “Coveted by Russian royalty, the jewel-studded Amber Room disappeared during World War Two. But two clues gave it new life.”, in BBC Travel, BBC News
eighth Wonder of the World2
- alternativeAlternative form of eighth wonder of the world.
Origin
From eighth + wonder of the world (“a structure or natural feature considered to be one of the greatest of its kind; especially as part of a collection of related entities, usually having seven members”), in reference to the Seven Wonders of the World.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
eighth wonder of the world. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eighth%20wonder%20of%20the%20world
“eighth wonder of the world.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eighth%20wonder%20of%20the%20world. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “eighth wonder of the world,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/eighth%20wonder%20of%20the%20world.
Source: eighth wonder of the world on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.