marvelous
gb/mˈɑɹvələs/ us/mˈɑɹvələs/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
extremely good or enjoyable
Very good; wonderful.
Usage pattern:
[something] is marvelous; a marvelous [thing/place/time]
Common mistake:
Learners may misspell it as *marvellous* (UK spelling) or confuse it with the noun/verb *marvel*.
Synonyms
wonderful (More common and neutral; less vivid.)
|
fantastic (Often more informal and enthusiastic.)
|
excellent (More factual and less emotional.)
Antonyms
awful (Very bad or unpleasant.)
|
terrible (Strongly negative evaluation.)
|
mediocre (Only average; not impressive.)
Collocations
marvelous idea
|marvelous job
|marvelous time
|marvelous opportunity
|marvelous feeling
|marvelous weather
|marvelous performance
|marvelous place
|marvelous meal
|marvelous experience
Themes
daily_life
|emotions
|evaluation
Examples
- We had a marvelous time at the beach.
- That’s a marvelous idea—let’s try it.
- The hotel staff were marvelous from start to finish.
Learner examples
- The food was marvelous.
- You did a marvelous job.
adjective
C1
property
2
surprisingly impressive or remarkable
Very impressive or surprising in a good way.
Usage pattern:
It is marvelous that [clause]; a marvelous [achievement/discovery]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse it in formal writing where a plainer word (e.g., *remarkable*) fits better.
Synonyms
remarkable (More formal and less emotional.)
|
astonishing (Stronger focus on surprise.)
|
extraordinary (Emphasizes being far from ordinary.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Not unusual or impressive.)
|
unremarkable (Not worth special notice.)
Collocations
marvelous achievement
|marvelous feat
|marvelous discovery
|marvelous display
|marvelous progress
|marvelous results
|marvelous detail
|marvelous talent
Themes
emotions
|evaluation
|media
Examples
- It’s marvelous how quickly the team adapted to the new system.
- She showed a marvelous talent for languages.
- The museum has a marvelous collection of early photographs.
Learner examples
- It is marvelous that you finished so fast.
- He has a marvelous memory.
adjective
informal
B2
abstract
3
used to show approval
A word you say to mean “Great!”
Usage pattern:
Marvelous!; That’s marvelous!
Common mistake:
In some contexts it can sound old-fashioned or theatrical; *great* or *awesome* may be more natural in casual speech.
Synonyms
great (More common and casual.)
|
lovely (Often softer; common in UK English.)
Antonyms
terrible (Expresses strong disapproval.)
|
oh no (Expresses negative reaction rather than approval.)
Collocations
Marvelous!
|That’s marvelous!
|How marvelous!
Themes
conversation
|emotions
Examples
- “We got the tickets!” “Marvelous!”
- “Your results are back—they’re normal.” “Oh, marvelous.”
- “You can start next week.” “That’s marvelous—thank you.”
Learner examples
- Marvelous! I’m happy.
- That’s marvelous news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
marvelous
IPA
GB/mˈɑɹvələs/
US/mˈɑɹvələs/
Syllables & stress
mar - velous (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mar)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: marvelous
Word family
Core family
marvelously
adverb
marvel
noun B1
Related words
marvellous
adjective B1
Expressions
how marvelous!
1/hˈaʊ mˈɑɹvələs ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
excited approval
Wow, that’s wonderful!
Examples
- How marvelous—you’re moving into your own place!
- How marvelous that everyone could come.
nothing short of marvelous
1/nˈʌθɪŋ ʃˈɔɹt əv mˈɑɹvələs/
fixed phrase
very high praise
It is extremely good.
Examples
- The support we received was nothing short of marvelous.
- Her recovery has been nothing short of marvelous.
simply marvelous
1/sˈɪmpli mˈɑɹvələs/
fixed phrase
emphatic praise
Really wonderful.
Examples
- The dessert was simply marvelous.
- Her voice in the final song was simply marvelous.