nymph

noun \ ˈnim(p)f \

|Updated on: 25 Jul 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

The nymphs will be rusty red and considerably smaller.

— neil sperry, star-telegram, "Here’s your gardening to-do list for the second part of the summer," 11 July 2018
Pests controlled: Insecticidal soap sprays are highly effective against mites, aphids, whiteflies, and other soft-bodied insects as well as the softer nymph stages of some tough-bodied bugs. 5.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "The 7 Best Organic Pest Control Techniques For Your Garden," 18 Dec. 2017
Special squashes such as Potimarron or Honey Roaster succumb early to the toxic bite of squash bug nymphs in my garden.

— margaret lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Consider all insect control measures carefully as earwigs, squash bugs move in," 22 June 2018
In episodes spanning a century or so, family dramas mingle with tales of murder in colonial Ceylon, of an Angolan butcher who names his daughter for a sea nymph, of a man who defiantly sticks out his tongue as he is burned alive.

— george packer, The New Yorker, "Briefly Noted," 16 June 2018
But that’s not too long to enjoy David Walker’s French Baroque sets and costumes, or the lively contribution — in roles that range from peasants and nymphs to the fairies’ attendants and Désiré’s hunting party — of the company’s sterling corps.

— jeffrey gantz, BostonGlobe.com, "Boston Ballet reawakens ‘Sleeping Beauty’," 12 May 2018
Some parts feature Minaj looking nymph-like in a forest lake; others focus on a steamy scene in a bedroom half submerged in water.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Nicki Minaj Channels Beyoncé's Underwater Shoot in a New Music Video," 1 May 2017
And that the mythological character Orchis, the son of a satyr and a nymph, was turned into a flower after his death.

— lawrence osborne, Town & Country, "The Hidden Power of Orchids," 14 Apr. 2017
Apply floating row covers; encourage native predatory insects; spray young nymphs with neem oil.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "10 Most Destructive Garden Insects And How To Get Rid Of Them," 3 June 2016

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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