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

Mother-of-pearl naturally reflects light and evokes images of mermaids, beaches, and the ocean floor. — Selene Oliva, Glamour, 18 July 2026

The pop star Dua Lipa is known for her dance-floor hits, for her turn as a mermaid in Barbie, for always seeming to be on vacation. — Sophia Nguyen, The Atlantic, 18 July 2026

The dress, inspired by the first Chinese American film star Anna May Wong, featured a high neckline and cap sleeves with a formfitting silhouette and mermaid-style skirt. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Over the course of 22 episodes, the Doomies crew encounters vampires, parasitic demons, vicious mermaids, and some spirits specific to French folklore, all rendered as real threats towards our heroes. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 July 2026

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"