Words / B2

MAHVL/ˈmɑːvl/

To marvel is to feel great surprise or admiration (usually marvel at): marvel at the data; a marvel (noun). Admire is cooler; wonder is closer to curiosity. Do not only marvel at the graph. Mix-up: marble is stone; marvellous means wonderful. Do not write marvel for “marble sculpture”.

Meaning

To feel great surprise or admiration (often marvel at).

Examples

• “Do not only marvel at the graph; label the axes.”
• “The Victorian ironwork was a marvel, which is the noun sense.”

Good to know

marvel at; a marvel of + noun. Cooler: admire. Trap: marble / marvellous. Evaluations and history. Be amazed, not a stone.

Near in meaning

wonder

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