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

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 • Mar. 19, 2026

The coach of that team, Erik Spoelstra, can only marvel.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

If you really want to level up your potluck game, take a cue from tailgate culture: a small portable crockpot is a marvel.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

This reality alone makes the existence of Maggie Gyllenhaal’s sophomore feature “The Bride!” something of a marvel.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

“With this, I’m perfectly fine. The marvel of modern medicine, eh?”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• genius
• miracle