marvel

1 of 2

noun

mar·​vel ˈmär-vəl 

1

: one that causes wonder or astonishment

her talent is a marvel to behold

… with that marvel of architecture before our eyes …

—Martha Kean

2

: intense surprise or interest : astonishment

… his voice filled with marvel …

—Mordecai Richler

marvel

2 of 2

verb

marveled or marvelled; marveling or marvelling ˈmärv-liŋ 

ˈmär-və-

intransitive verb

: to become filled with surprise, wonder, or amazed curiosity

marveled at the magician's skill

transitive verb

: to feel astonishment or perplexity at or about

marveled that they had escaped

Synonyms of marvel

Noun

• miracle
• wonder
• phenomenon

Examples of marvel in a Sentence

Noun

that new electric car really is a marvel

Verb

The doctors marveled that anyone could recover so quickly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The seemingly simple soccer cleat has progressed from a chunky leather work boot worn in factories to a marvel of modern engineering made with advanced synthetic materials and composites. — Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 2 July 2026

This strategic evolution aims to transition Atlas from a high-cost marvel to a scalable, commercially viable solution. — John Koetsier, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026

Verb

Irish tourist Mick Madeiros, for example, marveled on TikTok that Walmart sells Fruity Pebbles cereal in great big weighty bags, comparing it to the same ones dog kibble comes in. — Ramishah Maruf, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

At reception, guests are handed a generous glass of wine to sip while marveling at the blufftop views and awaiting a golf cart valet that whisks you (and your luggage) to your accommodation. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English merveile, mervayle "something causing astonishment, miracle," borrowed from Anglo-French merveille, going back to Gallo-Romance *merevelia, altered from Latin mīrābilia, noun derivative from neuter plural of mīrābilis "causing wonder, remarkable," from mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at" + -bilis "capable of (acting or being acted upon)" — more at admire, -able

Verb

Middle English merveilen, mervaylen, borrowed from Anglo-French merveiller, derivative of merveille marvel entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for marvel

• larval

Kids Definition

marvel

1 of 2 noun

mar·​vel ˈmär-vəl 

: one that causes wonder or astonishment

marvel

2 of 2 verb

marveled or marvelled; marveling or marvelling ˈmärv-(ə-)liŋ 

: to become filled with surprise or astonishment

marveled at the magician's skill