harpy
6 synonyms for harpy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — In Greek mythology, a monstrous creature with the body of a bird and the face of a woman.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek harpuia, "snatcher," from harpazo, "to seize" — the same root behind "rapacious."
Full origin of harpy →Frequently asked questions
What does “harpy” mean?
The word “harpy” means in Greek mythology, a monstrous creature with the body of a bird and the face of a woman. In plain terms, a mythological bird-woman monster, a real bird of prey named after it, or (as an insult) a nagging woman.
How do you pronounce “harpy”?
“Harpy” is pronounced HAH-pee (/ˈhɑɹpi/ in IPA).
How do you use “harpy” in a sentence?
Here is “harpy” used in a sentence: “The tabloids cruelly labelled her an office harpy.”
What part of speech is “harpy”?
“Harpy” is a noun.
Where does the word “harpy” come from?
The word “harpy” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek harpuia, "snatcher," from harpazo, "to seize" — the same root behind "rapacious.".
How many meanings does “harpy” have?
“Harpy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Greek mythology, a monstrous creature with the body of a bird and the face of a woman.
