nymph

noun

ˈnim(p)f

: any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters

: girl

Fair nymphs, and well-dressed youths around her shone …

Alexander Pope

: any of various immature insects

especially : a larva of an insect (such as a grasshopper, true bug, or mayfly) with incomplete (see incomplete sense 3) metamorphosis (see metamorphosis sense 2) that differs from the imago (see imago sense 1) especially in size and in its incompletely developed wings and genitalia

nymphal

ˈnim(p)-fəl

adjective

Example Sentences

she bought the book of fairy tales for the beautiful engravings of nymphs and fairies featured between the stories the neighborhood nymphs were gathered at the local pizza parlor

Recent Examples on the Web This purpose was confirmed when the authors searched for evidence of head lice on the comb under a microscope and found some remains on the second tooth, still in the nymph stage of development.

Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Nov. 2022 This mayfly had lived for a year or so underwater as a nymph with gills and an outer skeleton of armor.

Robert O'harrow Jr., Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2022 That's Circeo as in Circe — the mountain was believed to be the place where the nymph-sorceress was exiled.

Maria Shollenbarger, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2022 The straight shank and U-bend of a nymph hook work well to present the body of a bug.

Aleta Burchyski, Outside Online, 20 May 2020 Every little bit helps: Adult and nymph lanternflies should be swiftly killed when spotted.

Danae Wolfe, CNN, 3 Oct. 2022 What comes to the attention of two handsome local boys — one sweet (Taylor John Smith), one sinister (Harris Dickinson), and otherwise indistinguishable — though, is her blossoming swamp-nymph beauty.

Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 15 July 2022 It was said that Pan was in love with a nymph named Syringa.

Jenny Krane, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2022 Harrison, however, fishing subsurface with a nymph, soon hooked up.

Chris Santella, Washington Post, 13 Aug. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nymph.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English nimphe, from Middle French, from Latin nympha bride, nymph, from Greek nymphē — more at nuptial

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of nymph was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nymph.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nymph. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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Kids Definition

nymph

noun

ˈnim(p)f

: one of many goddesses in old legends represented as beautiful young girls living in mountains, forests, meadows, and waters

: any of various immature insects

especially : an immature insect (as a dragonfly or grasshopper) that differs from the adult chiefly in the size of the body and in its incompletely developed wings

Medical Definition

nymph

noun

ˈnim(p)f

: any of various hemimetabolous insects in an immature stage and especially a late larva (as of a true bug) in which rudiments of the wings and genitalia are present

broadly : any insect larva that differs chiefly in size and degree of differentiation from the imago

: a mite or tick in the first eight-legged form that immediately follows the last larval molt

: a nymphal stage in the life cycle of an insect or acarid

nymphal

ˈnim(p)-fəl

adjective