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

Legend says mermaid sirens lured sailors here. —Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 28 Mar. 2026

The Orlando Boat Show also features a trout pond for young visitors, performances from Twiggy the Waterskiing Squirrel, a pirate magician and mermaid stilt walkers. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026

An artist airbrushed tattoos of mermaids and butterflies on torsos and biceps. —Deborah Sengupta Stith, Austin American Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026

The dress has a mermaid silhouette and straight strapless neckline, which allowed for a theatrical play of volume and dramatic texture. —Pamela Vázquez, Glamour, 16 Mar. 2026

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"