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 rotation has been marvelous from the get-go despite its ailments. —Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 15 May 2026

By hitting the trifecta that is LEED Gold, Passive House, and mass timber, the new Marpole Community Centre is truly a marvelous technical feat that shows how public buildings meant for daily use can achieve high-performance environmental standards. —Stefan Ionescu may 12, New Atlas, 12 May 2026

These are soccer’s two legendary, aging-yet-still-marvelous rivals, their fight against time adding a sentimental pathos. —Miami Herald, 11 May 2026

These marvelous, magical creatures that live in the ocean. —Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 7 May 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