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

For all the natural beauty, the most memorable part of the day was when a group of Chinese tourists walking by insisted on getting a photo with our group—Western tourists being considered even more of a noteworthy sight than the marvelous views. —Paul Brady, Travel + Leisure, 23 Nov. 2025

Ice-skating sessions at this rink feature views of some of the city's most marvelous buildings. —Madeline Bartos, CBS News, 18 Nov. 2025

Olivera will make a marvelous Gatsby. —David Lyman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Oct. 2025

Director Mike Nichols’s farewell note to the ‘60s, and America’s innocence, The Graduate is as profound and, at the same time, simply marvelous. —John Ortved, Vogue, 29 Oct. 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