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

The practice was so lucrative, he marveled, that “we seemed to be rolling in wealth.”

From The Wall Street Journal

“Off the Scales” delivers a nuanced view of the transformational promise—for better and worse—of these unsettling medical marvels.

From The Wall Street Journal

Such local marvels were amplified by church and school Latin, and an increasing awareness of world poetry.

From The Wall Street Journal

They marvel, “Wow, I know I’m not going to die today . . . so wow, I get tomorrow too?”

From Salon

New defense tech companies are a marvel of American ingenuity, but their success depends on the Pentagon buying their wares at scale—and soon.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• genius
• miracle