nymph

noun \ ˈnim(p)f \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of nymph

1 : any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters

2 : girl

Fair nymphs, and well-dressed youths around her shone …
—Alexander Pope

3 : any of various immature insects; especially : a larva of an insect (such as a grasshopper, true bug, or mayfly) with incomplete (see incomplete 2) metamorphosis (see metamorphosis 2) that differs from the imago (see imago 1) especially in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia

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nymphal

play \ˈnim(p)-fəl\ adjective

See nymph defined for English-language learners

See nymph defined for kids

Examples of nymph in a Sentence

she bought the book of fairy tales for the beautiful engravings of nymphs and fairies featured between the stories
the neighborhood nymphs were gathered at the local pizza parlor, checking out the hot guys

Recent Examples of nymph from the Web

Fox reports that during its nymph stage, the cockroach is also capable of regeneration.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Cockroach Genome Shows Why They Are Impossible to Kill," 21 Mar. 2018
Eggs patterns are still a good bet for fly fishermen, as well as nymphs and small baitfish patterns.

— d'arcy egan, cleveland.com, "Fishing Report for March 23: Wet, warm weather a boost for river anglers," 23 Mar. 2018
Small dry flies, nymphs, spinners, spoons and bait will catch fish.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Check small streams for big fish this spring (fishing report, March 16) | Idaho Statesman," 16 Mar. 2018
Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (my current favorite is a Y2K (#10) with a ruby midge (#14) suspended below it).

— tyler mahoney, kansascity, "Fishing report: Looking for hot spots? Here's where the fish are biting | The Kansas City Star," 14 Mar. 2018
The nymphs then cycle through five life stages in as many weeks, shedding their skin each time.

— steven strogatz, The New Yorker, "When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home," 8 Aug. 2011
Happily, a greater purpose coalesced around the piece’s final section, especially by way of three luscious-voiced nymphs: Naiad (Meryl Dominguez), Dryad (Gabriela Flores), and Echo (Alexandra Razskazoff).

— peter dobrin, Philly.com, "A mixed 'Ariadne auf Naxos' at the Academy of Vocal Arts," 2 Mar. 2018
But the clothes, too, seemed subdued, with minimal flashes of color, and large black fedoras and fluffy coats lending the impression of a nymph in a protective cocoon.

— cathy horyn, The Cut, "Is Dries Van Noten the Last Sophisticated Designer in Paris?," 28 Feb. 2018
Worm patterns, Stoneflies, baetis, beadhead nymphs, midges and small woolly buggers are worthy offerings.

— sacbee, "Fishing line: Trout plants continue at Lake Amador | The Sacramento Bee," 15 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nymph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of nymph

Middle English nimphe, from Middle French, from Latin nympha bride, nymph, from Greek nymphē — more at nuptial

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

nymph Synonyms

Synonyms

dryad, naiad, oread, wood nymph;

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

NYMPH Defined for English Language Learners

nymph

noun

Definition of nymph for English Language Learners

in stories : a spirit in the shape of a young woman who lives in mountains, forests, meadows, and water
: a young insect that has almost the same form as the adult

NYMPH Defined for Kids

nymph

noun \ ˈnimf \

Definition of nymph for Students

1 : one of many goddesses in old legends represented as beautiful young women living in the mountains, forests, and waters

2 : an immature insect that differs from the adult chiefly in being of smaller size and having undeveloped wings

Medical Dictionary

nymph

noun \ ˈnim(p)f \

medical Definition of nymph

1 : any of various hemimetabolous insects in an immature stage and especially a late larva (as of a true bug) in which rudiments of the wings and genitalia are present; broadly : any insect larva that differs chiefly in size and degree of differentiation from the imago

2 : a mite or tick in the first eight-legged form that immediately follows the last larval molt

3 : a nymphal stage in the life cycle of an insect or acarid

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