mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād How to pronounce mermaid (audio)
Synonyms of mermaidnext
: 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
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Hudson turned up the volume in a vampy red gown and Infinity stunned in a striking oxblood mermaid look from Louis Vuitton. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Feb. 2026 The name Madison gained popularity after the mermaid in Splash named herself after Madison Avenue. Kara Nesvig, Parents, 20 Feb. 2026 Sleek mermaid dresses popped up time and time again in our research, pointing to the shape being one of the trendiest looks for 2026. Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 20 Feb. 2026 Pearl appliqués, a milky white base, 3D seashell designs, and reflective lavender chrome make this a manicure fit for a mermaid. Kara Jillian Brown, InStyle, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mermaid

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mermaid was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mermaid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mermaid. Accessed 2 Mar. 2026.

Kids Definition

mermaid

noun
mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād How to pronounce mermaid (audio)
: 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"

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