water nymph

noun

1. a nymph of the water, as a naiad, a Nereid, or an Oceanid.
2. water lily.
3. any aquatic plant of the genus Najas, having narrow, opposite leaves.

water nymph

noun

1. any fabled nymph of the water, such as the Naiad, Nereid, or Oceanid of Greek mythology
2. any of various aquatic plants, esp a water lily or a naiad

Word History and Origins

Origin of water nymph¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

She imagined a climactic moment in which Medusa confronts Athena and asks the goddess why she, the victim, was unjustly punished, and added a noncanonical love affair between Medusa and a female water nymph.

From New York Times

The word “Nyad” is a derivation of “naiad,” the water nymph from Greek mythology.

From Los Angeles Times

Her hair in bangs, her huge eyes echoing those of Christy’s water nymph, she looks just as romantic as the art.

From New York Times

The ghostly water nymphs were normally confined to their homes in the river, but during Semik, they could come out at night and would dance in the fields under the stars.

From Literature

“On the Tollense trade route, with Nordic amber, a traveler offered up her amulet to the local water nymphs for further good luck on the voyage,” Dr. Kaul said.

From New York Times