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 of marvelous

• wonderful
• amazing
• astonishing
• miraculous
• surprising
• incredible
• stunning
• sublime

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 marvelous mezes are largely gluten-free and served—upon request—with crudités; savory, comforting mujaddara is made with lentils and rice, no bulgur, barley, or other glutenous grains. — Luke Pyenson, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Nov. 2026

Jeon is marvelous in the role, allowing flashes of envy, resentment, and longing to surface beneath Mi-ok’s cheerful, accommodating manner without diminishing her warmth or loyalty. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

But despite this, they were still conceived of as being located within the mounds themselves, real-world anchors for these strange, marvelous realms. — Literary Hub, 21 Oct. 2026

But Pattinson is also surrounded by marvelous turns from Merritt Wever, Skyler Gisondo, and Phoebe Bridgers as Lance Oppenheim’s drama dives into the series’ uneasy ascent to must-watch TV. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 25 Sep. 2026

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