Definition of MARVEL (original) (raw)
1
: one that causes wonder or astonishment
her talent is a marvel to behold
… with that marvel of architecture before our eyes …—
Martha Kean
2
: intense surprise or interest : astonishment
… his voice filled with marvel …—Mordecai Richler
: to become filled with surprise, wonder, or amazed curiosity
marveled at the magician's skill
: to feel astonishment or perplexity at or about
marveled that they had escaped
Synonyms
Examples of marvel in a Sentence
Noun
that new electric car really is a marvel Verb
The doctors marveled that anyone could recover so quickly.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
With their distinctive appearance resembling a fusion of ancient armor and modern marvel, rhino rays are a group of 68 species comprising sawfishes (Pristidae), wedgefishes (Rhinidae), giant guitarfishes (Glaucostegidae), guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae), and banjo rays (Trygonorrhinidae). —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024 Stephanie Huang View 20 Images For 50 years now, camera company Nikon has been highlighting microscopic marvels with the annual Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. —Michael Irving, New Atlas, 19 Oct. 2024
Prior to Game 1 of the Championship Series, this writer spoke with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, marveling at what Roberts had accomplished, and pitying his task of having to do it again, but this time over a potential seven games. —Dan Freedman, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 As Huston recovers from the harrowing incident, her family members — including her 22-year-old great-grandson Rylee — are marveling at the matriarch’s resilient nature. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for marvel 
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English merveile, mervayle "something causing astonishment, miracle," borrowed from Anglo-French merveille, going back to Gallo-Romance *merevelia, altered from Latin mīrābilia, noun derivative from neuter plural of mīrābilis "causing wonder, remarkable," from mīrārī "to be surprised, look with wonder at" + -bilis "capable of (acting or being acted upon)" — more at admire, -able
Verb
Middle English merveilen, mervaylen, borrowed from Anglo-French merveiller, derivative of merveille marvel entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense
Time Traveler
The first known use of marvel was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near marvel
Cite this Entry
“Marvel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marvel. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.
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Last Updated: 29 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences
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