nymph

noun \ ˈnim(p)f \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 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

Baetis, brown drakes, PMD’s, pheasant tail nymphs and leeches are good flies to carry.

— jordan rodriguez, idahostatesman, "Bait-dunkers: Warmwater species on the bite. Fly anglers: Popular fishery opens | Idaho Statesman," 25 May 2018
Most humans are infected through the bites of immature ticks called nymphs.

— kara driscoll, ajc, "Lyme disease: 7 questions answered about tick-borne infections," 7 May 2018
With her soothing yet forthright manner, her wide eyes twinkling with reassurance and mischief, Tully has the affect, and the seemingly magical powers, of a woodland nymph.

— justin chang, latimes.com, "Charlize Theron and Mackenzie Davis breathe the miracle of life into the dark motherhood story of 'Tully'," 3 May 2018
From the hook of the nymph, tie on another 10 inches of leader (5X fluorocarbon) a No.

— tom stienstra, San Francisco Chronicle, "Anglers cast for magic on Saturday’s trout opener," 25 Apr. 2018
The sheep was supporting hundreds of ticks, including all three active life stages (larva, nymph, adult).

— lyndsey matthews, Country Living, "A Foreign Tick Species Has Invaded the U.S., Potentially Bringing New Diseases with Them," 24 Apr. 2018
Then, this spring, nymphs of the tick were found on the same farm, said Jeff Wolfe, a spokesman for the state agriculture department.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "Tenacious invasive tick survived winter in N.J. Experts are worried," 23 Apr. 2018
One expects etched glass, maybe depicting Cupid hovering over a fleshy Venus, maybe frolicking nymphs.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "Sex in the city: Where prostitution once flourished in KC | The Kansas City Star," 20 Apr. 2018
The eldest of Helios’s four immortal children with the naiad Perse, Circe had been thought a mere nymph, humble in her powers.

— laura collins-hughes, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s a man’s world — even in the myths," 20 Apr. 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.

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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