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

• wonderful
• amazing
• astonishing
• sublime
• stunning
• awesome

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

But Washington, born of a compromise between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton, wasn’t supposed to be a marvelous place to live and work. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Aug. 2025

This is a marvelous day because both Venus and lucky Jupiter are lined up in your sign! —Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2025

Best Hotels and Resorts Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Guests can enjoy marvelous views of the waterfront during a stay at the Omni Corpus Christi Hotel, with each of its 465 rooms and suites boasting a private balcony. —Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 9 Aug. 2025

Cameron struck out Francisco Lindor, got a marvelous play from shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., who ranged deep in the hole to nab Mark Vientos, then struck out Juan Soto. —Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025

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

Rhymes for marvelous

• marvellous

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