nymph

[ nimf ]

noun

1. one of a numerous class of lesser deities of mythology, conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows, etc., and frequently mentioned as attending a superior deity.

   Synonyms: hamadryad, dryad, oread, naiad

2. a beautiful or graceful young woman.
3. a maiden.
4. the young of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.

nymph

/ nɪmf; ˈnɪmfɪən /

noun

1. myth a spirit of nature envisaged as a beautiful maiden
2. poetic.
   a beautiful young woman
3. the immature form of some insects, such as the dragonfly and mayfly, and certain arthropods. Nymphs resemble the adult, apart from having underdeveloped reproductive organs and (in the case of insects) wings, and develop into the adult without a pupal stage

nymph

/ nĭmf /

1. The immature form of those insects that do not pass through a pupal stage. Nymphs usually resemble the adults, but are smaller, lack fully developed wings, and are sexually immature.
2. Compare imago

Derived Forms

• ˈnymphal, adjective
• ˈnymphlike, adjective

Other Words From

• nymphal nym·phe·an [nim, -fee-, uh, n], adjective
• un·nymphal adjective
• un·nymphe·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nymph¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English nimphe, from Latin nympha, from Greek nýmphē “bride, nymph”

Word History and Origins

Origin of nymph¹

C14: via Old French from Latin, from Greek numphē nymph; related to Latin nūbere to marry

Synonym Study

See sylph.

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 Pleiades myth describes the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and nymph Pleione.

From Science Daily

Eventually, the cicada nymphs will hatch, fall into the ground, burrow down, and start their 13- and 17-year cycles all over again.

From Salon

The hunched, hard-shelled, butterscotch-colored nymphs that first emerge from the ground are easy to scoop up as they scurry.

From Seattle Times

Fried cicada nymphs were dressed on top with a warm mixture of creole mustard and soy sauce.

From Seattle Times