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

The journey to the sea largely sees Melody enter a mermaid kingdom that hasn’t moved on or grown in the decade since the events of the original. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Uncle Jimmy, holding two beers and a bottle opener shaped like mermaid genitalia, stood in front of her. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026

The Good Will Hunting actor contrasted his wife of 20 years, who stunned in a vivid blue cobalt gown featuring a plunging neckline and a form-fitting silhouette that flared out into a mermaid-style design. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026

Her first look for the ceremony was a bright white dress with a sheer lace V-neck bodice with an opaque mermaid skirt, per Vogue. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 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"