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 delicate dress is an eye-catching statement piece thanks to its mermaid silhouette and cowl neckline. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026

So much so, that one wonders if a sweetheart neckline or traditional mermaid train feels representative of the current fashion mood. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026

Never one to stick with one hair style for too long, Brown has said goodbye to her super long dark red mermaid waves in favor a crisp, clean dark brown lob. —Meg Walters, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026

The story follows an English teacher, Penelope Schleeman, who has written a début novel about the adventures of a feisty mermaid living in a matriarchal pod. —The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 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"