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

Mr. Puryear’s superpower is the ability to keep viewers marveling at his artworks’ meticulous construction, while guessing at their purposes and meanings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Already a physical marvel as a sixth-grader, he took an unusual path to USC, having played in only a dozen high school games.

From Los Angeles Times

After spending much of the year racing to remake civilization, they packed a giant convention center and marveled at displays flaunting the latest AI research between bites of Auntie Anne’s pretzels.

From The Wall Street Journal

For jaded adults and curious children alike, Amélie’s wide-eyed marvel of the world will instill new faith just when we could use it the most.

From Salon

Wild London, coming late in such a revered canon of nature documentaries, is Sir David's way of nudging us to marvel at the nature on our doorsteps, amidst the frenzy of daily life.

From BBC

Related Words

• genius
• miracle