What does marvel mean?
Marvel is a word of wonder and admiration. As a noun, it denotes something extraordinary, such as an achievement, a natural formation, a building, or a remarkable person. It is especially common in expressions such as “a marvel of engineering” and “a modern marvel.” As a verb, to marvel means to feel or express amazement at something beautiful, unexpected, or intellectually impressive, usually in the construction “marvel at.” The word appears in formal writing, historical narrative, and literary description, although many speakers use “wonder at” or “be amazed by” in less elevated contexts. In British English, the related adjective is commonly spelled “marvellous,” while American English usually uses “marvelous.” Marvel is useful when praise is directed at a specific achievement or spectacle because it conveys a sense of astonishment as well as admiration. Its history also makes it memorable: it ultimately comes from a Latin word associated with looking in wonder, linking it to “miracle” and “mirage.”
Something that causes great wonder or admiration, especially an extraordinary achievement, object, natural feature, or person.
"The restored temple is a marvel of ancient architecture."
Common in phrases of the form “a marvel of + achievement, art, or engineering.”
To feel or express amazement at something remarkable or unexpected.
"Visitors marvel at the precision of the clock's mechanism."
Most often used intransitively with “at.”
The plural is correct but relatively uncommon; singular forms such as “a marvel of engineering” are often preferred in formal and literary writing.
"The city's bridges are among the engineering marvels of the modern world."
Marvel comes from a Latin root meaning “to wonder,” the same source behind miracle and mirage.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marvel come from?
The noun comes through Old French merveille from Latin mirabilia, “wonderful things,” which derives from mirari, “to wonder” or “to look with wonder.” The verb entered English through Old French merveillier, likewise based ultimately on the Latin root associated with wonder. English later developed the related forms marvellous and marvelous, with the doubled-l spelling common in British usage.
Related word forms
How marvel is actually used
The noun is often strongly admiring and can have a rhetorical or literary quality. The verb is most commonly used with “at” and expresses wonder more intensely than ordinary surprise.