marvel
/ˈmɑː.vəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːr.vəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmär-vəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɑːvl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɑːrvl/ (ame, ipa)
marvel — verb
- marvelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- marvels3rd person singular
- marveling-ing form
- marvelledpast simple
1. to be filled with wonder and appreciation when seeing or learning about somethin
to be filled with wonder and appreciation when seeing or learning about something remarkable, beautiful, or extraordinary
Hao stood at the edge of the canyon and marveled at its enormous size.
marvel at [noun phrase] — feeling admiration for something seen
Selim marveled that no one had been hurt in the serious car crash.
marvel + that-clause — surprise at a situation
The children marveled at the magician's tricks during the school show.
Talia marveled at how quickly the rescue team reached the injured hikers.
Tourists often marvel at the colorful traditional houses along the river.
- wonder
less strong, can express curiosity or puzzlement rather than admiration
- be amazed
stronger element of surprise, often at something unexpected rather than beautiful
- be astonished
very strong surprise, sometimes including disbelief, less focused on admiration
文法句型
marvel at [something]
marvel that [clause]
marvel at how/why/what [clause]
用法筆記
This verb is never used transitively — the object of admiration must be introduced by the preposition 'at' or a clause (that / how / why / what). Common in written and formal contexts; in casual conversation, 'be amazed at' or 'can't believe' are more frequent.
常見錯誤
marvel — noun
- marvelsingular
- marvelsplural
1. a person, thing, or event that is so unusual or impressive that people feel grea
a person, thing, or event that is so unusual or impressive that people feel great wonder and admiration when they see or experience it
The new suspension bridge across the river is an engineering marvel.
countable: a marvel — a single impressive thing
Mira's full recovery after the accident was a marvel to her doctors.
The human brain remains one of the greatest marvels of nature.
Rohan described the old steam engine as a forgotten marvel of technology.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural marvels on the planet.
- wonder
very similar in meaning, but 'wonder' can also describe a feeling; 'marvel' is more focused on the impressive object itself
- miracle
stronger, often implies a religious or highly unlikely event; 'marvel' is more secular
- phenomenon
more neutral and scientific, less emotional than 'marvel'
- commonplace
something ordinary and unremarkable
文法句型
a marvel
a marvel of [domain]
the marvels of [something]
用法筆記
As a countable noun, 'marvel' always requires a determiner (a / the / this / that) in the singular form. The phrase 'the marvels of…' is common when describing impressive achievements or features of a field (e.g., the marvels of modern medicine). Distinguish from the verb sense: the noun names the thing itself, not the feeling it creates.