marvellous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'marvellous' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word to describe something that is very good, pleasant, or surprising. For example: "The new restaurant in town is marvellous!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Though Mr Romney calls Mr Ryan's ideas "marvellous", he may prefer to marvel from a distance.There are many other possibilities.

The Economist

The young Iris sounds pretty marvellous: she tells a great story about how, as a young woman, she came to be friends with Duke Ellington.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

She is a marvellous person to put into fiction because of the contradictions that run straight through her personality.

The Guardian - Books

You're given the keys to the boat with marvellous casualness - they don't expect you to have any experience, just common sense.

The Guardian - Travel

Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This and Marvellous have also been given the nod for best single drama, along with BBC2's Dylan Thomas epic A Poet in New York and BBC3's Murdered By My Boyfriends.

The Guardian

So many people have had it, and it's all the people everyone thinks haven't; the ones that people say, 'Oh, aren't they marvellous,' have had three bloody face-lifts.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The coastline hereabouts is marvellous and a lunchtime surf is a real possibility.

The Guardian

In several films of the 1930s, she played the love interest of the marvellous horse-faced comedian Fernandel, performing a number of songs with him.

The Guardian - Film

I got a marvellous one of a girl with a hockey stick with mistletoe around it". Understandably the return journeys were somewhat happier affairs: "When they were coming home it was lovely – lots of hugs and kisses".

The Guardian

Moreover, it is a transformational book because it portrays Nigeria as a place that is mythical, marvellous, chaotic and slightly dangerous, yet also wildly fascinating, with a magnetic power to attract its brightest emigrés back to its shores.

The Guardian - Books

But the most exciting news yet is that the wonderful, the marvellous photojournalist Mike Bowers is now safely within our grasp for the live blog.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marvellous" to convey a strong sense of delight or admiration, particularly in contexts where a more formal or British English tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "marvellous" excessively in very casual conversations. While acceptable, it can sound overly formal or affected in some informal settings.

Linguistic Context

Marvellous primarily functions as an adjective. It is used to describe nouns, indicating that something is extremely good, pleasing, or impressive. According to Ludwig, this word is appropriate and correct for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marvellous" is an adjective used to describe something exceptionally good or impressive. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, suggesting a broad applicability but a leaning toward formal tone. While alternatives like "wonderful" or "fantastic" exist, "marvellous" carries a distinct flavor, often associated with British English. While its use is correct, overusing it in very informal settings might sound affected. According to Ludwig AI, "marvellous" is a correct and usable term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wonderful

A common synonym, indicating something that inspires delight or admiration.

fantastic

Implies something exceptionally good or impressive.

splendid

Suggests something magnificent or impressive in appearance or quality.

terrific

An informal synonym, denoting something excellent or great.

excellent

Indicates something of very high quality.

remarkable

Suggests something worthy of attention due to being unusual or outstanding.

extraordinary

Implies something beyond what is usual, ordinary, or expected.

magnificent

Describes something grand and impressive.

fabulous

Informal term for something very pleasing or successful.

superb

Indicates something of the highest quality; outstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "marvellous" in a sentence?

"Marvellous" is an adjective used to describe something that is extremely good or impressive. For example, "The concert was absolutely marvellous".

What words can I use instead of "marvellous"?

You can use alternatives such as "wonderful", "fantastic", or "splendid" depending on the context.

Is "marvellous" more formal than "marvelous"?

Yes, "marvellous" is the British English spelling and generally carries a slightly more formal connotation compared to "marvelous", which is the American English spelling. Both words are adjectives that describe something inspiring delight or wonder.

When is it appropriate to use "marvellous"?

Use "marvellous" when you want to express strong approval or admiration, especially in situations where a slightly more sophisticated or British English tone is fitting. It's suitable for both spoken and written communication.