nymph

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noun \ ˈnim(p)f \

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

Berry Bros. Guide Service reports: Wadable water; Rim Shoals has been hot spot; trout good on olive woolly buggers, nymphs, midges, San Juan worms (particularly cerise) and sowbugs.

— bruce janssen, kansascity, "Fishing report for July 20," 19 July 2017
In six weeks, nymphs hatch and fall to the ground, and begin their life in the soil.

— jefferson county cooperative extension, AL.com, "Danger follows the buzz of summer (Garden Talk)," 18 July 2017
The disease is typically spread when immature ticks, which are called nymphs, bite mice that are infected and then bite humans.

— lindsey bever, Washington Post, "Why this adorable mouse is to blame for the spread of Lyme disease," 17 July 2017
Nymphs can be controlled with insecticidal soap, pyrethrum, rotenone or neem.

— ellen nibali, baltimoresun.com, "Garden Q&A: Black-eyed Susans with fungal leaf spot disease," 11 July 2017
On this chalcedony intaglio from Greece, circa the 2nd or 3rd century BC, a nymph ties up her hair in a ribbon.

— Vogue, "Dior, De Beers, and Repossi, Oh My! A Virtual Tour Through the Fall 2017 High Jewelry Collections," 7 July 2017
Berry Bros. Guide Service reports: Buffalo Shoals has been hot spot; trout good on olive woolly buggers, nymphs, midges, San Juan worms (particularly cerise) and sowbugs.

— bruce janssen, kansascity.com, "Fishing report for July 6," 5 July 2017
Prepared Berkley trout bait on a number 10 hook is one of the more effective baits, but the fish also take tiny spoons and spinners as well as an assortment of wet flies, nymphs and streamers in size 8-14.

— frank sargeant, AL.com, "Friday Fishing Report," 23 June 2017
Adult female ticks need blood to feed their larvae, which become nymphs, and then feed multiple times before becoming adults.

— steve smith, Courant Community, "Town Nurse Talks Ticks, Lyme Disease," 23 June 2017

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

See Words from the same year

nymph Synonyms

Synonyms

dryad, hamadryad, naiad, oread, wood nymph

Related Words

mermaid, Nereid, Oceanid, sea-maid (or sea-maiden), siren, water nymph

Other Insect Terms

drone, entomology, gadfly, pismire, proboscis, vespine

NYMPH Defined for English Language Learners

nymph

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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

play

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

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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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