What does marvelling mean?
Marvelling means being filled with wonder or amazement, usually at something unusually beautiful, remarkable, or unexpected. It is the present participle of the verb "marvel," and it commonly appears in the construction "marvel at": one marvelled at the view, the skill of an artist, or the complexity of a machine. The word carries a strongly positive, often admiring tone, although it can describe amazement at something unexpected rather than praiseworthy. "Marvelling" is the conventional British spelling; American English normally writes "marveling." The related adjective is "marvellous" in British usage and "marvelous" in American usage, meaning extraordinarily good or wonderful. Together, these forms express the broad idea of wonder: the verb describes the experience, while the adjective characterizes the remarkable thing that prompts it.
verbTo be filled with wonder or amazement at something remarkable. It is often used with the preposition "at".
- To experience or express wonder and amazement, especially at something extraordinary.
"The children stood marvelling at the snow-covered mountains."
"Travellers marvelled at the precision of the ancient engineering."
"She paused, marvelling at how quickly the team had completed the restoration."
The double L is the giveaway: British English doubles it in "marvelling," while American English uses one in "marveling."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marvelling come from?
The word comes from Old French merveiller, meaning "to wonder," which was derived from Latin mirari, "to look with wonder or admiration." English borrowed the form as "marvel," and the present participle acquired the spelling "marvelling" in British usage. The traditional double-l spelling distinguishes it from the usual American form "marveling." The same Latin root also underlies words such as "miraculous" and, through the related adjective derived from French, "marvellous" and "marvelous."
Related word forms
How marvelling is actually used
The form is standard in British English and conveys a sense of delighted or astonished wonder. In American English, it is normally spelled "marveling." The construction "marvel at" is the most common; it should not be confused with the noun meaning something that causes wonder.