nymph

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 sense 2) metamorphosis (see metamorphosis sense 2) that differs from the imago (see imago sense 1) especially in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia

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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 on the Web

Photo: Saulius Gugis Spittlebug nymph, magnified five times, is seen in its bubble house. — Daniela Hernandez, WSJ, "From Tears to Spider Embryos: Photos Reveal World’s Microscopic Wonders," 12 Oct. 2018 There are five instars (that is, stages of development resulting in skin shedding) of the nymphs. — Margaret Lauterbach, idahostatesman, "Cool, rainy spring prompts alert for fire blight on Valley trees, plants | Idaho Statesman," 26 Apr. 2018 Here are some fishing etiquette tips to keep the peace Bass fishing tips from a high school champ Prince nymphs, hare’s ears, pheasant tails and tiny tailwaters are tried-and-true South Fork patterns. — Jordan Rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Check small streams for big fish this spring (fishing report, March 16) | Idaho Statesman," 16 Mar. 2018 The egg case is called the Ootheca, and the number of nymphs (baby cockroaches) per Ootheca varies depending on the type of cockroach. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "What You Need To Know If You Ever See A Roach In Your House," 19 Aug. 2018 His student copies of works in the Louvre, bearded heads after Veronese and a fleshy nymph after Rubens, confirm his commitment to broad modeling with nuanced hues. — Karen Wilkin, WSJ, "‘Delacroix’ Review: Passionate Feeling Made Manifest," 12 Sep. 2018 Adults and nymphs suck plant juices, causing leaf and fruit distortion, wilting, stunting, and tip dieback. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "The 10 Most Destructive Garden Insects and How to Get Rid of Them," 10 July 2018 The fashion fairy forest nymphs filling up your social feeds are more often than not clad in direct-to-consumer, dress-heavy brands like LoveShackFancy, Doen, Reformation, Faithfull the Brand, or their French counterparts Rouje and Sézane. — Kerry Pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "Hang Up Your Hoodies, The Fashion Fairy Nymph Is Here," 10 Aug. 2018 Earwigs are unusual among insects in that the female fusses over her eggs and nymphs, and uses her pincers to protect them. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Control Earwigs in Your Garden and Keep Them From Getting in Your House," 27 July 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.

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Last Updated

18 Apr 2019

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The first known use of nymph was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for nymph

nymph

noun

English Language Learners Definition of nymph

in stories : a spirit in the shape of a young woman who lives in mountains, forests, meadows, and water

technical : a young insect that has almost the same form as the adult

See the full definition for nymph in the English Language Learners Dictionary

nymph

noun

\ ˈnimf

Kids Definition of nymph

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

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