mermaid

noun

mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād How to pronounce mermaid (audio)
Synonyms of mermaid
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The journey to the sea largely sees Melody enter a mermaid kingdom that hasn’t moved on or grown in the decade since the events of the original. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026 Uncle Jimmy, holding two beers and a bottle opener shaped like mermaid genitalia, stood in front of her. — Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026 The Good Will Hunting actor contrasted his wife of 20 years, who stunned in a vivid blue cobalt gown featuring a plunging neckline and a form-fitting silhouette that flared out into a mermaid-style design. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026 Her first look for the ceremony was a bright white dress with a sheer lace V-neck bodice with an opaque mermaid skirt, per Vogue. — Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mermaid

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mermaid was in the 14th century

Rhymes for mermaid

See All Rhymes for mermaid

Browse Nearby Words

Merluccius
mermaid
mermaid's-hair
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mermaid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mermaid. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mermaid

noun
mer·​maid ˈmər-ˌmād How to pronounce mermaid (audio)
: 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"

More from Merriam-Webster on mermaid

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mermaid

Nglish: Translation of mermaid for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mermaid

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