Definition

Adverb: 1. In a way that causes great wonder or astonishment; extraordinarily well. Used to describe an action performed with such excellence or to such a degree that it inspires admiration or surprise. 2. (Used as an intensifier) Extremely, exceedingly. Used to emphasize the high degree or quality of something.

Usage

The word "marvellously" is used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something is done or exists in an exceptionally fine, impressive, or surprising manner. It often conveys a sense of admiration from the speaker.

Examples

• Modifying a verb:
  • The chef prepared the dish marvellously. (The chef prepared the dish in an extraordinarily skillful way.)
  • The plan worked out marvellously. (The plan succeeded to an excellent and perhaps surprising degree.)
• Modifying an adjective:
  • The weather was marvellously warm for October. (The weather was surprisingly and delightfully warm.)
  • She is a marvellously talented artist. (She is an extremely talented artist.)
• Modifying another adverb:
  • The story is marvellously well told. (The story is told in an exceptionally good way.)
  • The colors changed marvellously slowly. (The colors changed in an astonishingly slow manner.)

Advanced Usage

• As a sentence adverb: Can be used to comment on the whole statement.
  • Marvellously, everyone arrived on time despite the traffic. (It was wonderfully surprising that everyone arrived on time.)

Variants and Related Words

• Marvelous (Adjective): Causing great wonder; extraordinarily good or pleasing.
  • They had a marvelous time at the party.
• Marvel (Noun/Verb):
  • (Noun): A wonderful or astonishing person or thing.

    • The Great Wall of China is an engineering marvel.
  • (Verb): To be filled with wonder or astonishment.

    • We marvelled at the beautiful sunset.

Synonyms

• Wonderfully: In a way that inspires delight or admiration.
• Superbly: In an excellent or grand manner.
• Splendidly: In an impressive or magnificent way.
• Excellently: In an extremely good way.
• Astonishingly: In a very surprising or amazing way.
• Extraordinarily: In a very unusual or remarkable way.

Antonyms

• Poorly: In an unsatisfactory or inadequate way.
• Terribly: In an extremely bad or unpleasant way.
• Adequately: In a satisfactory or acceptable, but not exceptional, way.
• Ordinarity: In a normal or commonplace way.

Adverb

1. (used as an intensifier) extremely well
   • her voice is superbly disciplined
   • the colors changed wondrously slowly