mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād 

: a fabled marine creature with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish

Examples of mermaid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

That season’s Pirates of the High Seas & Renaissance Fest is a local favorite, with sword fights, fire performers, and mermaids drawing families and fantasy lovers to the shore. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2025

Photo sessions in mermaid gear provide proof that mermaids do exist. —Johanna Read, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Until the early 20th century, stories of shark attacks were considered mariners’ tall tales, lumped in with mermaid and sea serpent sightings. —Hans Walters, New York Daily News, 19 July 2025

Just off the Overseas Highway, marked by a massive mermaid statue, Lorelei is a classic Florida Keys watering hole—equal parts tiki bar, family restaurant, sunset lookout, and low-key music venue. —Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mermayde, from mere sea (from Old English) + mayde maid — more at marine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mermaid

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād 

: an imaginary sea creature usually represented with a woman's body and a fish's tail

Etymology

Middle English mermayde "mermaid," from mere "lake, pool, sea" and mayde "maid"