Lorelei

noun

Lo·​re·​lei ˈlȯr-ə-ˌlī How to pronounce Lorelei (audio)
: a siren of Germanic legend whose singing lures Rhine River boatmen to destruction on a reef

Word History

Etymology

German

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Lorelei was in 1865

Rhymes for Lorelei

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Browse Nearby Words

lorel
Lorelei
loreless
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Cite this Entry

“Lorelei.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Lorelei. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

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