mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād How to pronounce mermaid (audio)
: 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 Mulligan was held in her ceremony gown, a black mermaid dress with a scalloped hem over white tulle — a recreation of a 1951 Balenciaga design. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 The Magical Mermaid toothpaste was just as interesting for kids to look at, with a scale design meant to mimic a mermaid’s tail amid bright colors. Jessica Booth, Parents, 10 Mar. 2024 Directed by Ron Howard, Splash follows Allen Bauer (Tom Hanks), a man who was rescued as a boy by a mermaid (Hannah) while on a trip to Cape Cod. EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 Even with an opening-night flub, Terrence Mann brought cheerful warmth as the Narrator; Unity Phelan was a luxurious librarian turned mermaid; and Sara Mearns, as the Swan, brought poignancy to her back, her arms and, as usual, her everything. Gia Kourlas, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024 Poised to inherit the throne and protect the oceans from mermaids with nefarious intentions, Ruby’s journey is a captivating dive into self-discovery, family legacies, and the power of embracing one’s true self. Travis Bean, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Silverton Casino Lodge This hotel, which appeals to budget-conscious travelers with its free aquarium and mermaid show, offers free parking. Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 20 Feb. 2024 In fact, the cover — the mermaid with four arms — is the sea of Vallarta. Leila Cobo, Billboard, 15 Feb. 2024 The motel, once called the Bridge Motor Inn, remains in business with larger-than-life sculptures of a mermaid and a pirate outside the office entrance. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mermaid.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near mermaid

Cite this Entry

“Mermaid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mermaid. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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"

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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