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

While Nash-Betts wore a plunging electric blue gown with a mermaid silhouette, Betts coordinated in a snakeskin trenchcoat with a more subdued shade of blue. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 3 Nov. 2025

The mermaids’ origins remain unknown. —Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2025

In the photo, Chris wore a tuxedo and white tie for the occasion, while Karly opted for a strapless mermaid gown. —Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 3 Nov. 2025

From filmmaker Jo Southwell (Call the Midwife), The Catch follows a ruthless culinary showdown as a brilliant but obsessive chef journeys to Cornwall in search of the rarest seafood of all — a mermaid. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Oct. 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"