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

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 The temple complex, which has ties to both Hinduism and Buddhism, has walls covered with carvings, including over 3,000 asparas (nymphs) and many other mythological events and figures. — Bridget Hallinan, Condé Nast Traveler, "15 Beautiful Sacred Sites Around the World," 29 Mar. 2018 There is the fungus, for example, that invades cicada nymphs and takes up residence inside the cicada’s body, slowly killing them. — Gregory Katz, The Seattle Times, "Royal Botanic Garden seeks respect for world’s fungus," 11 Sep. 2018 Jenner, a nymph born when Zeus threw a track of hair extensions into a boiling ocean, is part of the inescapable and unavoidable Kardashian clan that has dominated television and pop culture for the last decade. — Alex Abad-santos, Vox, "The controversy over “Kylie Jenner, self-made billionaire,” explained," 13 July 2018 Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (my current favorite is a bead head pheasant tail (#14) with a ruby midge (#18) suspended below it. — Tyler Mahoney Special To The Star, kansascity, "Fishing report: Catfish action picking up in Kansas, Missouri lakes," 11 July 2018 In early summer, as the water warms up, the nymphs rise to the surface of the water and their shells split open. — Heather Radke, Longreads, "A Beginner’s Guide to Fly Fishing With Your Father," 16 June 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

12 Dec 2018

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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

: 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