WordGarden.iomarvel
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɑːvəl/
US
- /ˈmɑrvəl/
Meanings
Proper-noun
the Marvel entertainment company and superhero media franchise
Noun
an extraordinary or admirable thing or person
Verb
to feel or express great surprise or admiration
Beyond the definition
To marvel at something is to feel strong surprise and admiration. You might marvel at a bright sunset, a beautiful building, or someone's great skill. It is stronger than simply liking something. The word can also be a noun for something amazing itself. If you watch a magician do a trick, you may marvel at it. If the trick is very impressive, you could call it a marvel. So the word can describe both the feeling and the thing that causes it.
The word "marvel" has two main uses. As a verb, it means to feel wonder, surprise, and admiration. You marvel at something when it seems unusually beautiful, skillful, or surprising. For example, someone might marvel at the colors of the sky at sunset, at the detail in an old painting, or at how quickly a child has grown. It suggests more than just noticing something. It shows that the thing leaves a strong impression on you.
As a noun, "marvel" means something wonderful or remarkable. A new bridge, a clever machine, or a piece of art might be called a marvel if it seems especially impressive. In this sense, the word names the thing that causes wonder. For example, you could say, "The old cathedral was a marvel," or "The small device seemed like a marvel of modern design."
In everyday English, the word often has a warm, admiring tone. It is used when something feels special enough to make you stop and take notice. Whether it describes your reaction or the thing itself, "marvel" is about wonder and deep admiration.
Examples
- 1
Engineering achievement
The new bridge is a marvel of engineering.
- 2
Future technology
A smartphone would have seemed like a marvel to people a hundred years ago.
- 3
Visual wonder
Tourists stopped to marvel at the colors in the evening sky.
- Patternmarvel at + thing
look at or think about it with surprise and admiration
- 4
Surprising skill
I still marvel that she learned the song after hearing it only once.
- Patternmarvel that + clause
feel surprised that something is true
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Ancient objects
The museum is full of ancient marvels from around the world.
- 6
Lucky outcome
It’s a marvel that no one was injured in the crash.
- Patternit’s a marvel that + clause
it is surprising, often in a lucky or fortunate way
See also
Forms and spellings
5 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- marvelnounverb
Forms
- marvelspluralnounverb
- marveledpast tenseverbnoun
- marvelledpast tenseverbnoun
- marveling-ing formverbnoun