Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing wonder or astonishment; extraordinarily good or impressive: Describes something that is so excellent, remarkable, or beautiful that it evokes a sense of wonder.
   • Of the nature of a marvel or miracle; improbable to the point of being unbelievable: Describes something so extraordinary it seems almost supernatural or impossible.

Usage

• Used to express strong, positive admiration for something's quality, beauty, or impressiveness.
• Often functions as an intensifier, similar to "fantastic," "wonderful," or "tremendous."
• Can describe events, achievements, objects, or feelings.

Examples

• Describing an experience or event:
  • We had a marvelous time at the party.
  • The concert last night was simply marvelous.
• Describing an object or collection:
  • She has a marvelous collection of antique jewelry.
  • The view from the mountaintop is marvelous.
• Describing an achievement or quality:
  • The team made a marvelous effort to finish the project on time.
  • He showed marvelous skill in solving the complex problem.

Advanced Usage

• "nothing short of marvelous": Used to emphasize that something is absolutely and completely wonderful.
  • Her recovery after the surgery was nothing short of marvelous.
• "too marvelous for words": Describes something so wonderful that it is difficult to express in language.
  • The beauty of the sunset was too marvelous for words.

Variants and Related Words

• Marvelously (adverb): In a marvelous manner.
  • The plan worked out marvelously.
• Marvel (noun/verb): As a noun, a wonderful or astonishing thing. As a verb, to be filled with wonder.
  • The Great Pyramid is an ancient marvel. (noun)
  • We marveled at the stunning architecture. (verb)

Synonyms

• Wonderful: Inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration.
• Fantastic: Extraordinarily good or attractive.
• Astonishing: Extremely surprising or impressive.
• Magnificent: Extremely beautiful, elaborate, or impressive.
• Splendid: Excellent; very good.

Antonyms

• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
• Mediocre: Of only moderate quality; not very good.
• Terrible: Extremely bad or serious.
• Unremarkable: Not particularly interesting or surprising.

Idioms and Phrases

• A marvelous job: Used to praise someone's work highly.
  • You did a marvelous job organizing the event.
• Marvelous to behold: Something that is wonderful to look at or experience.
  • The natural scenery here is marvelous to behold.

Adjective

1. being or having the character of a miracle
2. too improbable to admit of belief
   • a tall story
3. extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
   • a fantastic trip to the Orient
   • the film was fantastic!
   • a howling success
   • a marvelous collection of rare books
   • had a rattling conversation about politics
   • a tremendous achievement