looks marvellous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looks marvellous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that appears impressive or beautiful, often in relation to food, fashion, or scenery. Example: "The cake looks marvellous, with its intricate decorations and vibrant colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Some slightly odd water effects aside, the game looks marvellous.

The Guardian - Tech

It looks marvellous, and plays pretty well too.

The Guardian - Tech

Of course, on Chung it looks marvellous, but a woman who chooses to wear a bin bag is not trying to impress the boys.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The film looks marvellous, almost in the Sternberg mould, with black and white lighting culled from special portrait lenses and the sort of richly textured decor that only MGM could contemplate at the time.

The Guardian

A wedge heel, on the other hand, looks marvellous, however stout your legs are.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"You look marvellous, darling.

The Economist

On paper, it looked marvellous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He's looking marvellous, really happy.

The Guardian - Books

They look marvellous clustered in groups by the bar against the canary-silk walls.

The Guardian - Film

David emerged looking marvellous, out of a lot of dry ice, and the audience went crazy.

The Guardian

16. H. Drummond, " 'It Looked Marvellous in the Prospectus': TAURUS, Information and Decision Making," Journal of General Management, volume 23, Spring 1998, pp. 73 87.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looks marvellous" to convey a sense of genuine delight and admiration for someone or something's appearance. It works best when you want to express more than just a simple "looks good".

Common error

Avoid using "looks marvellous" in contexts that require a more neutral or technical description. "Marvellous" implies strong positive emotion, which may be unsuitable for objective reporting or formal analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looks marvellous" functions primarily as a subject complement, describing the attribute of a subject. As noted by Ludwig AI, it indicates that someone or something possesses a visually impressive quality. Examples from Ludwig show this phrase used to describe objects, people, and even films.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looks marvellous" is a phrase used to express strong approval of someone or something's appearance. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English. Its function is to serve as a subject complement. While less common than simpler alternatives like "looks good", it is suitable for neutral contexts wanting to express something is particularly visually pleasing. Its usage is concentrated primarily in News & Media sources, conveying a sense of aesthetic appreciation that goes beyond a simple statement of fact. The related phrases offer ways to modulate the tone and formality of the expression, and it's essential to use "looks marvellous" appropriately, considering its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears splendid

Replaces "looks" with "appears" and "marvellous" with "splendid", altering the tone slightly.

seems magnificent

Substitutes "looks" with "seems" and "marvellous" with "magnificent", providing a more formal tone.

presents beautifully

Uses "presents" to replace "looks", changing the focus to the way something is displayed, and "beautifully" replaces "marvellous".

is visually striking

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive expression emphasizing visual impact.

has a stunning appearance

Replaces the phrase with an emphasis on a striking visual quality.

is exceptionally attractive

Offers a straightforward substitution, focusing on general attractiveness.

exudes elegance

Shifts the focus to the quality of elegance rather than a general good look.

is remarkably appealing

Emphasizes the appeal of the subject, using "remarkably" to enhance the sense of admiration.

bears an impressive aspect

Provides a formal alternative focusing on the overall impression created.

commands attention visually

Highlights how the subject captures visual attention, altering the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "looks marvellous" in a sentence?

You can use "looks marvellous" to describe someone or something that has an impressive or beautiful appearance. For example, "That dress /s/looks+marvellous/ on you!" or "The renovated building /s/looks+marvellous/ now that it's complete."

What phrases are similar to "looks marvellous"?

Some similar phrases include "looks fantastic", "appears splendid", and "seems magnificent". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "looks marvellous" formal or informal?

"Looks marvellous" is generally considered to be slightly more formal and expressive than "looks good" but less formal than "appears magnificent". Its formality depends on context.

Can I use "looks marvellous" to describe abstract concepts?

While "looks marvellous" is typically used for physical appearances, you can extend it to describe abstract concepts metaphorically. For example, "The project's outcome /s/looks+marvellous/, promising great success."