marvelous

adjective

mar·​vel·​ous ˈmärv-(ə-)ləs How to pronounce marvelous (audio)
variants or chiefly British marvellous
Synonyms of marvelousnext
1
: causing wonder : astonishing
the marvelous directional sense of migrating birds
2
: miraculous, supernatural
Gothic tales of marvelous and bizarre happenings
3
: of the highest kind or quality : notably superior
has a marvelous way with children
marvelously adverb
or chiefly British marvellously
marvelously inventive
sang marvelously
marvelousness noun
or chiefly British marvellousness

Synonyms

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Examples of marvelous in a Sentence

We had a marvelous time at the party. He has a marvelous way with children. The weather was simply marvelous.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The kernel of the script imagined Ruth’s movements through her longtime home for the final time—a marvelous, minutely observed sequence that opens the film—and then her new home for the first time. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 20 June 2025 Chuck invites a woman from the crowd to join him — Janice Halliday (Annalise Basso), whom the narrator has just informed us has undergone a bad breakup via text message — and their marvelous dance sequence offers a startling contrast to the grim despair of the film’s first (third?) act. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 June 2025 But what marvelous results: Thirty unbroken miles of lakefront open to the public; wide boulevards and spectacular parks, and more. — Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 18 June 2025 Condon is marvelous as the tough techie who, naturally, falls for Sonny, because the dude is Brad Pitt. — Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for marvelous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English merveillous, borrowed from Anglo-French, from merveille marvel entry 1 + -ous -ous

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of marvelous was in the 14th century

Rhymes for marvelous

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Browse Nearby Words

marvel-of-Peru
marvelous
marver
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Marvelous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marvelous. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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Kids Definition

marvelous

adjective
mar·​vel·​ous
variants or marvellous
ˈmärv-(ə-)ləs How to pronounce marvelous (audio)
1
: causing wonder or astonishment
2
: having the characteristics of a miracle
3
: of the highest kind or quality : splendid
we had a marvelous time
marvelously adverb
marvelousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on marvelous

Nglish: Translation of marvelous for Spanish Speakers

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