merveilleux
/mɛʁ.vɛ.jø/
The French word for marvelous is merveilleux.
The word is used to describe something that causes exciting wonder or surprise. While merveilleux captures this feeling, you might choose other words depending on the nuance: superbe is used for something superb, remarquable for something remarkable and prodigieux for something extraordinary or prodigious.
Meaning: exciting wonder or surprise (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective merveilleux is derived from the noun merveille, which means marvel or wonder.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Belgium, Switzerland and parts of France, the word formidable is commonly used to mean wonderful or terrific.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective changes based on the gender and number of the noun it describes. The masculine singular form is merveilleux, which is also the form used for the masculine plural. The feminine singular form is merveilleuse, and the feminine plural form is merveilleuses.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /mɛʁ.vɛ.jø/. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In French literature, the term le merveilleux refers to a specific narrative device where supernatural elements are accepted as normal by the characters, such as in fairy tales.
- The word merveilleux shares a common ancestor with the English word 'admire', as both trace back to the Latin 'mirari' meaning 'to wonder at'.
- French speakers often use the word merveilleux to describe a 'wonderful' dream, but they rarely use it for a 'wonderful' piece of news, preferring génial or super.
Examples in context
- Oh ! Merveilleux !Oh! Marvelous!This sentence shows how to use merveilleux as an exclamation.Tatoeba #1098779 by sacredceltic, translation #1098757 by cntrational
- Quel merveilleux temps !What marvelous weather.This sentence uses merveilleux to describe weather.Tatoeba #460717 by sacredceltic, translation #24985 by mccarras
- Ces livres sont merveilleux.These books are marvelous.This sentence uses merveilleux to describe books.Tatoeba #6849693 by Delapouite, translation #6861564 by kaiperkins271
- C'est un film superbe !It's a marvelous film!
- Quelle performance remarquable !What a marvelous performance!
- Elle a une voix prodigieuse !She has a marvelous voice!
- C'est génial !It's marvelous!
- Ton dessert est extra !Your dessert is marvelous!
- La soirée était génialissime !The evening was extremely marvelous!
- La vue est superbe depuis cette montagne.The view is marvelous from this mountain.
- Cet artiste a réalisé une performance remarquable.This artist delivered a marvelous performance.
- Les talents de cette chanteuse sont prodigieux !This singer's talents are marvelous!
- Le film que j'ai vu hier soir était génial !The movie I watched last night was marvelous!
- La soirée chez Victor était top !The party at Victor's was marvelous!
- Tes compétences en cuisine sont extra !Your cooking skills are marvelous!
- La soirée à Montréal était génialissime !The evening in Montreal was extremely marvelous!
- Ce spectacle était formidable, j'en suis encore ému.This show was marvelous, it still moves me.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Gabriel are looking at a beautiful view from a balcony.
- ManonC'est un spectacle merveilleux.It is a marvelous sight.
- GabrielOui, c'est vraiment magnifique.Yes, it is truly magnificent.
- ManonJe suis tellement contente d'être ici.I am so happy to be here.
- GabrielMoi aussi, Manon.Me too, Manon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “marvelous” translations and entries merveilleux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merveilleux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
