What does marvelous mean?
“Marvelous” is an expressive adjective meaning extraordinary, splendid, or worthy of admiration. It can describe a striking sight, an impressive achievement, or simply something that delights the speaker. The word carries a strongly positive emotional tone and is especially common in North American English, where it is spelled with one “l”; British English generally uses “marvellous.” In conversation, “marvelous” may be used as a broad expression of enthusiasm, but it can also carry a note of literary warmth or wonder. A marvelous view, for example, is not merely pleasant but exceptionally impressive, while a marvelous performance suggests exceptional skill or achievement. The word is related to “marvel,” an old word for something astonishing, and shares its sense of wonder with “wonderful” and “wondrous.”
adjectiveExtraordinary or splendid, especially in a way that causes wonder or surprise. In British English, the standard spelling is usually “marvellous.”
- Causing wonder or amazement; extraordinary.
- Splendid or exceptionally good.
"The team produced a marvelous performance that left the audience applauding."
"The view from the summit was marvelous."
"She gave a marvelous account of the expedition."
The word “marvelous” can mean not only astonishing but also remarkably good, as in a truly marvelous performance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marvelous come from?
The word comes from the verb “marvel,” meaning to be amazed or astonished, which was borrowed from Old French merveiller. Adding the suffix “-ous” produced an adjective meaning “full of wonder” or “causing amazement.” Its spelling varies by region: “marvellous” is traditional British English, while “marvelous” is standard in North American English.
Related word forms
How marvelous is actually used
An expressive adjective that is strongly positive in modern usage and is often informal or conversational. It may describe something wonderful, remarkable, or exceptionally successful.
Easily confused with marvelous
Both words have the same meaning; “marvellous” is the usual British spelling, while “marvelous” is the usual North American spelling.