marvel

[mahr-vuhl]

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

/ ˈmɑːvəl /

verb

1. to be filled with surprise or wonder

noun

1. something that causes wonder

2. archaic,  astonishment

Other Word Forms

• marvelment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of marvel¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of marvel¹

C13: from Old French merveille, from Late Latin mīrābilia, from Latin mīrābilis, from mīrārī to wonder at

Example Sentences

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

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Maybe I would’ve marveled as I watched this impossible creature do even more impossible things.

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“One for Istanbul and one for Constantinople,” she marveled.

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Penelope could not stop marveling at it and thanked them all repeatedly.

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So the members of the audience marveled to one another as they rushed to the lobby, for they all assumed it must be intermission.

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Related Words

• genius 
• miracle