What does marvelousness mean?
The noun marvelousness denotes the quality of being marvelous: the power of a person, object, place, event, or experience to inspire wonder, admiration, or amazement. It is especially appropriate when something seems extraordinary, splendid, or almost unreal. The word is somewhat more expressive and literary than the simpler "wonderfulness," often suggesting a sense of awe as well as excellence. It appears naturally in discussions of art, architecture, nature, performance, and remarkable personal achievements. Although it is grammatically a countable noun and can be pluralized as "marvelousnesses," it is usually treated as an abstract mass noun, with plural forms sounding uncommon. In American English the related adjective is normally spelled "marvelous"; British English uses "marvellous" more often. Overall, marvelousness is useful when the writer wants to name not merely something good, but something whose beauty or extraordinary character deserves sustained wonder.
nounThe quality of being marvelous; the wonderful, impressive, or awe-inspiring character of a person, thing, event, or experience.
- The quality of being marvelous; wonderful or awe-inspiring excellence.
"The sheer marvelousness of the northern lights can leave even experienced observers speechless."
"The splendor and marvelousness of the palace were almost overwhelming."
"The novel captures the marvelousness of ordinary life when viewed with fresh eyes."
Rare. The noun is normally treated as an abstract mass noun and is seldom made plural.
"The exhibition celebrates the distinct marvelousnesses of the landscapes it depicts."
Marvelousness turns an old impulse to marvel into a noun for the kind of excellence that makes people stop and stare.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marvelousness come from?
The adjective marvelous was borrowed through French from a word associated with marveling, ultimately deriving from Latin mirari, meaning "to wonder" or "be astonished." The suffix -ness was added to the adjective to form the noun marvelousness. The same Latin root underlies words such as miracle, mirage, and miraculous, reflecting the word family's long association with wonder and the marvelous.
Related word forms
How marvelousness is actually used
Usually abstract and somewhat literary. American English generally uses the spelling "marvelous," while British English commonly uses "marvellous."