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.

---

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

---

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

Roman engineers exploited that heat to create a fast-setting concrete, allowing them to build the Pantheon and other marvels.

From The Wall Street Journal

When the play opens, “all one can do is wonder why it did,” Mr. Rich marvels.

From The Wall Street Journal

I marveled at the finished product, which was deliciously dense, and enjoyed every bite until my plate was spotless.

From Salon

This, we learn, is the man who sent that pocketed missive of the prologue; how it made its way to Kornyev is a miracle at which Mr. Loznitsa leaves us to marvel.

From The Wall Street Journal

I marveled sometimes that the ink was dry.

From Literature

Related Words

• genius
• miracle