Word of the Day: What 'sonder' means and how to use it in a sentence

The word 'sonder' describes the sudden realisation that every passer-by is living a life as vivid and complex as one's own. Its growing use shows how modern language can fill emotional gaps even before formal dictionaries adopt a term.

In Short

• The term describes recognising strangers as people with equally layered lives
• It often strikes in traffic, on streets or during daily travel
• John Koenig popularised it by naming hard-to-express emotions in his project

The word "sonder" refers to the realisation that every person one passes is living a life as vivid, complex and detailed as one’s own. It describes the sudden awareness, whether on a busy street, in a metro or at a traffic signal, that each stranger has their own story, struggles, routines and dreams.

It captures that sudden awareness, on a busy street, in a metro, or at a traffic signal, that each stranger carries their own story, struggles, routines, and dreams.

Is it in the Oxford Dictionary?

Interestingly, “sonder” is not officially listed in the Oxford English Dictionary yet, but it has gained wide usage in modern language and digital culture.

It was popularised by writer John Koenig in his project The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which gives names to emotions we all feel but rarely articulate.

Why this word stands out

Even though it’s not formal Oxford vocabulary, it fills a gap.

There was no single English word for this feeling, until “sonder” came along.

Use it in a sentence

Sitting in traffic, she felt a sudden sense of sonder watching people pass by.

Travel often brings moments of sonder, you realise how many lives unfold around you.

Over time, its usage expanded into everyday language to describe anything brief or short-lived, whether it is a moment, an emotion, or even fame in the digital age.

- Ends