mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād 

: a fabled marine creature with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish

Examples of mermaid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

From filmmaker Jo Southwell (Call the Midwife), The Catch follows a ruthless culinary showdown as a brilliant but obsessive chef journeys to Cornwall in search of the rarest seafood of all — a mermaid. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025

Simon Armstrong plays her husband Lutey, Clara Paget plays the mermaid and Cook stars as a doctor investigating Betty. —James Russell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 Oct. 2025

The satin ensemble featured a cleavage-baring open neckline, short sleeves and a waist-cinching bodice that cascaded into a mermaid skirt. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025

Bronze mermaids, floating fish, and a large octopus sculpture by Damien Hirst look down on diners in the dining room. —Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mermayde, from mere sea (from Old English) + mayde maid — more at marine

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mermaid

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād 

: an imaginary sea creature usually represented with a woman's body and a fish's tail

Etymology

Middle English mermayde "mermaid," from mere "lake, pool, sea" and mayde "maid"