noun
Uncommon
mermaid
MUR-mayd
Mermaid (noun) means a legendary sea creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish. Example: “The children's book was full of illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters.”
noun
1
A legendary sea creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.
"The children's book was full of illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters."
How to use mermaid
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mythical half-woman, half-fish creature that lives in the sea.
Common pairings
mermaid tail
mermaid costume
the little mermaid
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Word forms
- Plural
- mermaids
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The children's book was full of illustrations of _____ and sea monsters.
Etymology
From Middle English mermayde, literally "maid of the sea" — from mere ("sea, lake") plus maid.
Rhymes for mermaid
See all rhymes for mermaid →Frequently asked questions
What does “mermaid” mean?
The word “mermaid” means a legendary sea creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish. In plain terms, a mythical half-woman, half-fish creature that lives in the sea.
How do you pronounce “mermaid”?
“Mermaid” is pronounced MUR-mayd (/ˈmɝ.meɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “mermaid” in a sentence?
Here is “mermaid” used in a sentence: “The children's book was full of illustrations of mermaids and sea monsters.”
What part of speech is “mermaid”?
“Mermaid” is a noun.
Where does the word “mermaid” come from?
The word “mermaid” comes from Middle English. From Middle English mermayde, literally "maid of the sea" — from mere ("sea, lake") plus maid.
Is “mermaid” a common word?
“Mermaid” is an uncommon word in modern English.
