How to pronounce marvelous
Say it like MAR-vuh-lus. Marvelous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce marvelous. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MAR
- vuh
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Marvelous pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MARSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- vuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of marvelous
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: MAH-vuh-lus.
What does marvelous mean?
- extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers“a fantastic trip to the Orient”“the film was fantastic!”
- too improbable to admit of belief“a tall story”
- being or having the character of a miracle
Where does marvelous come from?
First attested from 1300 as Middle English merveilous, from Old French merveillus, from merveille (“a wonder”), equivalent to marvel + -ous.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with marvelous
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of marvelous.
Words that sound like marvelous
Questions about saying marvelous
How do you pronounce marvelous?
Say MAR-vuh-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈmɑrvələs/. In British English it is /ˈmɑːvələs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in marvelous?
Marvelous has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MAR). Broken into parts: MAR · vuh · lus.
Is marvelous pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈmɑːvələs/ (MAH-vuh-lus).
What words sound the same as marvelous?
Marvelous sounds the same as marvellous in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.