mermaid

[ mur-meyd ]

noun

1. (in folklore) a female marine creature, having the head, torso, and arms of a woman and the tail of a fish.
2. a highly skilled female swimmer.

mermaid

/ ˈmɜːˌmeɪd /

noun

1. an imaginary sea creature fabled to have a woman's head and upper body and a fish's tail

mermaid

1. A legendary marine creature with the head and torso of a woman and the tail of a fish; the masculine, less well-known equivalent is a merman. Though linked to the classical Sirens , mermaids may be nothing more than sailors' fanciful reports of the playful antics of dugongs or manatees.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mermaid¹

First recorded in 1300–50, mermaid is from the Middle English word mermayde. See mere ², maid

Word History and Origins

Origin of mermaid¹

C14: from mere lake, inlet + maid

Example Sentences

A graceful mermaid swimming around in an industrial-strength water treatment plant in Lithuanian artist Emilija Škarnulytė’s film “Riparia” becomes a perilous siren, luring the unsuspecting to the rocks.

From Los Angeles Times

What if someone told you mermaids were real?

From BBC

The possibility that such a thing still exists in our divided country seems as improbable as leprechauns, mermaids or gas under $3 a gallon.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead, they came dressed in the mermaid outfits Chappell had requested.

From BBC

Her first big screen role was in 1948 as the mermaid Miranda, with her performance in the comedy making her a star in the UK.

From BBC

Related Words

• gnome
• goblin
• imp
• leprechaun