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 3) 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

Other Words from nymph Synonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing nymph Learn More About nymph

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 Ariana's vocals are perfect, and her runs tumble effortlessly like a nimble forest nymph. — Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 4 Mar. 2022 The name also nods to the nymph Egeria from Roman mythology, who was a counselor to kings. — Carol Besler, Robb Report, 13 Jan. 2022 The egg bite has been on fire and the nymph bite as the water clears will pick up as well. — D'arcy Egan, cleveland, 23 Dec. 2021 Once hatched, a nymph will spend most of their lives in this stage before crawling out of the water to turn into a dragonfly, per the British Dragonfly Society. — Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Dec. 2021 On the mythical island of Aeaea, located on the Western coast of Italy, lived the goddess and sorceress, Circe-The Daughter of Helios, god of the sun, and Perse, the ocean nymph. — Joseph Deacetis, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2021 The mortal gently cleanses the cast-iron with water, like a doting river nymph. — Emma Allen, The New Yorker, 3 Dec. 2021 According to British classicist Robert Graves, the nymph Metis was a goddess particularly endowed with wisdom and knowledge. — Rebecca Coffey, Forbes, 8 Nov. 2021 The results are striking: There is a golden girl, who seems very much a Greek nymph come to life. — Tom Teicholz, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2021 See More

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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“Nymph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nymph. Accessed 1 Jul. 2022.

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More Definitions for nymph

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