Galatea

noun

Gal·​a·​tea ˌga-lə-ˈtē-ə 

: a female figure sculpted by Pygmalion and given life by Aphrodite in fulfillment of his prayer

Examples of Galatea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nearby, Gérôme’s playful painting shows the sculptor’s astonishment as Galatea comes to life from a sculpture in his studio. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 4 Feb. 2026

That was the dynamic between Bogdanovich and Shepherd—Pygmalion and Galatea. — Lili Anolik, Vanity Fair, 12 Jan. 2026

In the ancient Greek tale of Pygmalion and Galatea, a sculptor carves a dream of Platonic perfection unburdened by mortal flaw and frailty. — Literary Hub, 20 Nov. 2025

Five years ago, researchers discovered that Raphael used Egyptian blue in a fresco called Triumph of Galatea, which the Renaissance painter created for Rome’s Villa Farnesina in around 1512. — Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 June 2025

Consider, for example, Galatea, a statue of a woman sculpted by Pygmalion as art, then brought to life by Aphrodite. — Sofia Giannuzzi, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Apr. 2025

But the bereft Galatea, both beautiful and resourceful, changed Acis into an immortal spirit of a river so that their love would never die. — Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Galateia

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for Galatea

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• kyrie
• lutea
• maria