adj A2 Elementary Uncommon

marvellous

MAH-vuh-luhs

Marvellous (adj) means causing wonder or astonishment; excellent or delightful. Example: “We had a marvellous time at the coast.”

adj

Causing wonder or astonishment; excellent or delightful.

"We had a marvellous time at the coast."

"The chef prepared a marvellous three-course meal."

How to use marvellous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWonderful or amazing — the standard British spelling of "marvelous."

UK vs US

"Marvellous" (double L) is the British spelling; American English uses "marvelous."

Easily confused with

marvelous →

Word forms

more marvellous comparative, most marvellous superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

We had a _____ time at the coast.

Etymology

From Old French merveillus, from merveille ("a wonder") — the same root as "marvel."

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for marvellous

yous nous pious joyous heinous ominous curious anxious copious tenuous tedious spurious

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Frequently asked questions

What does “marvellous” mean?

The word “marvellous” means causing wonder or astonishment; excellent or delightful. In plain terms, wonderful or amazing — the standard British spelling of "marvelous.".

How do you pronounce “marvellous”?

“Marvellous” is pronounced MAH-vuh-luhs (/ˈmɑɹvələs/ in IPA).

How do you use “marvellous” in a sentence?

Here is “marvellous” used in a sentence: “We had a marvellous time at the coast.”

What part of speech is “marvellous”?

“Marvellous” is an adjective.

Where does the word “marvellous” come from?

The word “marvellous” comes from Old French. From Old French merveillus, from merveille ("a wonder") — the same root as "marvel.".

Is “marvellous” a common word?

“Marvellous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.