le merveilleux
wonderful
C'est quelque chose qui cause de l'admiration ou de l'étonnement parce que c'est très beau ou très impressionnant.
Definition & meaning
The adjective merveilleux describes something that causes wonder, admiration, or astonishment because of its exceptional quality or beauty. It can be used in two primary ways:
- Wonderful/Marvelous: Referring to something excellent, delightful, or of high quality (e.g., "a wonderful trip").
- Miraculous/Supernatural: Referring to something that relates to or suggests the presence of magic, miracles, or supernatural forces, often found in fairy tales or legends (e.g., "a marvelous story").
When used as a noun, le merveilleux refers to the quality of being marvelous or the supernatural element in literature and art.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar:
- Part of speech: Adjective (masculine singular).
- Feminine form: merveilleuse
- Plural form: merveilleux (masculine), merveilleuses (feminine).
Origin: The word derives from the Old French merveillos, which comes from the Latin mirabilia, meaning "things to be wondered at" or "miracles," originating from the verb mirari ("to wonder at").
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- Admirable: Worthy of respect or approval.
- Extraordinaire: Beyond what is ordinary; remarkable.
- Magique: Possessing a quality of wonder or charm.
- Fantastique: Imaginative or unreal.
- Superbe: Grand or excellent in appearance.
Antonyms:
Make “merveilleux” part of your vocabulary.
Build your French vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Ce paysage est merveilleux.adjective
This landscape is wonderful.
Elle nous a raconté des contes merveilleux.adjective
She told us wonderful tales.
Keep exploring French
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad