marvel

American  

[mahr-vuhl] / ˈmɑr vəl /

noun

1. something that causes wonder, admiration, or astonishment; a wonderful thing; a wonder or prodigy.

   The new bridge is an engineering marvel.

2. Archaic. the feeling of wonder; astonishment.

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verb (used with object)

marveled, marveling, marvelled, marvelling

1. to wonder at (usually followed by a clause as object).

   I marvel that you were able to succeed against such odds.

2. to wonder or be curious about (usually followed by a clause as object).

   A child marvels that the stars can be.

verb (used without object)

marveled, marveling, marvelled, marvelling

1. to be filled with wonder, admiration, or astonishment, as at something surprising or extraordinary.

   I marvel at your courage.

marvel British  

/ ˈmɑːvəl /

verb

1. to be filled with surprise or wonder

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noun

1. something that causes wonder

2. archaic astonishment

Other Word Forms

• marvelment noun

Etymology

Origin of marvel

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English mervel, from Old French merveil(l)e, from Late Latin mīrābilia “marvels,” noun use of neuter plural of Latin mīrābilis “marvelous”; admirable

Example Sentences

I’ve had countless conversations with journalists from around the globe, who marveled at how little they knew about Puerto Rico’s history or its relationship to the United States.

From Los Angeles Times

For Ms. Back, teaching literature was a performance, in which she stood before the classroom and marveled at “the glorious metaphor, the heartbreaking image, the joy-inspiring music of the poem.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Here it is. It says, ‘a marvel; that which arouses awe, astonishment, surprise, or admiration.’”

From Literature

The feud has stirred up a larger conversation on what exactly is worth protecting in Southern California, a region loaded with architectural marvels and Old Hollywood haunts swirling with celebrity legend and gossip.

From Los Angeles Times

In one of her newest pieces, “Once in a Lifetime” — part sculpture, part video display — precarious clusters of bric-a-brac form a mechanical marvel that appears to defy gravity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• genius
• miracle