marvelous

adjective

mar·​vel·​ous ˈmärv-(ə-)ləs 

variants or chiefly British marvellous

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

• amazing
• astonishing
• astounding
• awesome
• awful
• eye-opening
• fabulous
• miraculous
• portentous
• prodigious
• staggering
• stunning
• stupendous
• sublime
• surprising
• wonderful
• wondrous

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

The United States has always been a marvelous mélange of diverse interests and priorities, sometimes divided, and sometimes held together by one or two overarching themes that create an illusion of unanimity. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Everybody was a captain who was living in these marvelous homes. —Shannon Carlin, Rolling Stone, 31 Oct. 2024

Upon arrival, guests are welcome to take a stroll through the property’s marvelous Terrace and Outdoor Gardens and admire the plants, then sit down for a plate of trumpet mushroom carpaccio or hearty carrot bolognese at the bar. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024

Look down your nose at the kiddie shows and action hours, telenovelas, thrillers and endless permutations of horror, and risk missing the heartbeat of a global culture that continues to change in marvelous ways, year to year, day to day. —Steven Gaydos, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024

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

Kids Definition

marvelous

adjective

mar·​vel·​ous

variants or marvellous

ˈmärv-(ə-)ləs 

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