Marvellous or Marvelous: Which Spelling is Correct?

If you’re wondering which spelling is correct between ‘Marvellous’ and ‘Marvelous,’ the answer is both.

In American English, the spelling is “marvelous” with only one “l”. On the other hand, in British English, the spelling is “marvellous” with two “l’s”.

Both spellings have the same meaning and usage. They are both adjectives used to describe something that is extremely good or causes wonder.

Spelling Differences in British and American English

As discussed earlier, in British English, “marvellous” is the correct spelling, while in American English, “marvelous” is the preferred spelling. This is just one example of the many spelling differences between these two forms of English.

Other common spelling differences between British and American English include:

• Words ending in “-our” in British English are spelled “-or” in American English, such as “colour” vs. “color.”
• Words ending in “-re” in British English are spelled “-er” in American English, such as “centre” vs. “center.”
• Words ending in “-ise” in British English are spelled “-ize” in American English, such as “organise” vs. “organize.”
• Words ending in “-yse” in British English are spelled “-yze” in American English, such as “analyse” vs. “analyze.”

Remember that neither spelling is inherently “correct” or “incorrect.” Both British and American English have their own unique spelling conventions, and it’s up to the writer to choose which form of English to use.

Origins of Marvelous and Marvellous

To understand the origins of these two spellings, we need to delve into the history of the English language.

The word “marvelous” comes from the Latin word “mīrābilis,” which means “to cause wonder.” This Latin word became the Anglo-French word “merveille,” which then entered Middle English as “merveile,” sometimes spelled “mervayle.” From there, it evolved into the modern spelling “marvelous,” which is predominantly used in American English.

On the other hand, “marvellous” is predominantly used in British English. It comes from the same root as “marvelous,” but it took a slightly different path. The Anglo-French word “merveille” became “merveilous,” which then entered Middle English as “merveillous.” This spelling eventually evolved into the modern “marvellous.”

So, both spellings have their roots in Latin and French, and they both mean the same thing. The difference lies in the evolution of the word in the English language, leading to different spellings on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

Application in Different Contexts

In terms of application, both spellings can be used in various contexts such as literature, marketing, and advertising. For example, a writer may use “marvellous” to describe a character in a book, while a company may use “marvelous” in their marketing campaign to promote a new product.

In addition, both spellings can be used to describe the weather. For instance, you may say that the weather is “marvellous” or “marvelous” if it is sunny and warm outside.

Synonyms and Related Terms

The word “marvellous” is often used to describe something that is wonderful, astonishing, or amazing. It is a synonym for words like fantastic, grand, howling, rattling, terrific, tremendous, and wondrous. The word “marvellousness” is a noun form of “marvellous” and is used to describe the quality of being marvellous.

Similarly, the word “marvelous” is also used to describe something that is wonderful, astonishing, or amazing. It is a synonym for words like fantastic, grand, howling, rattling, terrific, tremendous, and wondrous.

The word “wonder” is often used to describe something that is amazing or astonishing. It is a synonym for words like marvel, miracle, phenomenon, and prodigy.

The word “astonishing” is often used to describe something that is surprising or remarkable. It is a synonym for words like amazing, astounding, incredible, and stunning.

The word “wonderful” is often used to describe something that is extremely good or pleasing. It is a synonym for words like excellent, fantastic, great, and superb.

Remember,  both “marvellous” and “marvelous” are correct spellings of the word. In general, if you’re writing for a British audience, it’s best to use British English spelling conventions. Likewise, if you’re writing for an American audience, it’s best to use American English spelling conventions.