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 clip is worth watching, and not just to marvel yet again at Vance’s ability to make idiotic statements in the self-assured tone of the smartest boy in the room.

From Salon • Apr. 1, 2026

Samsung pitched the mammoth phone as an engineering marvel and the “shape of what’s next.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

This was an old style innings, not a muscular modern marvel.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2026

Rewind much farther, however, and we might marvel at its origin as a track that didn’t quite work.

From Salon • Feb. 14, 2026

Ella replied with a big smile as the tiny portrait of her face filled in above her name and two blank lines awaited her marvel and Paragon.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• genius
• miracle