How to spell marvellous
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
marvellous
M-A-R-V-E-L-L-O-U-S
The part to watch: marvel + ous, with a double l. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Marvellous is marvel + ous. In British English the l doubles before -ous. Marvelous, with one l, is American.
Marvellous is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with the -ous ending. The ending that sounds like "us" at the end of a describing word is spelt -ous. It is never -us or -ouse.
Common mistakes with marvellous
- Wrong: marveliousRight: marvellous
A way to remember it
Travel becomes travelling, and marvel becomes marvellous: the l doubles.
Marvellous in syllables
mar · vel · lous
Marvellous has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
We had a marvellous day at the seaside.
Marvellous on the statutory list
Marvellous is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with marvellous, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with the -ous ending
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as marvellous.
More words
Questions parents ask
Is it marvellous or marvelous?
In the UK it is marvellous, with a double l. Marvelous, with one l, is the American spelling. The Year 5 and 6 list uses marvellous.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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