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

On a beautiful summer day in July, seven-year-old Penelope is turning into a mermaid. — Ava Berger, NPR, 26 July 2026

Kate has also become known for her mermaid waves, a look her daughter Princess Charlotte has adopted, too. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 26 July 2026

We’re introduced, in a kingdom under the seas ruled by merpeople, to an idealistic and sweet-hearted redheaded mermaid princess fascinated by the human world; in this version, Lara. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 24 July 2026

Some reactionaries will always find a reason to demand all-white entertainment, regardless of whether there are mermaids, hobbits, or lightsabers involved. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 24 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"