nymph
noun
ˈnim(p)f 
1
: any of the minor divinities of nature in classical mythology represented as beautiful maidens dwelling in the mountains, forests, trees, and waters
2
: girl
Fair nymphs, and well-dressed youths around her shone …
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope3
: 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 
Synonyms
- dryad
- hamadryad
- naiad
- oread
- wood nymph
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
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 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 The eggs hatch into an aquatic larval stage called a nymph, said Mass Audubon. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 By the Fourth of July weekend, the Phoenix resident developed a 100-degree fever, chills and swollen nymph nodes throughout his body. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Aug. 2022 When the larvae complete their aquatic development, the nymph climbs out of the water, and its outer exoskeleton splits open, allowing the adult dragonfly to emerge, said Mass Audubon. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 It’s named after the water-nymph in Homer’s Odyssey, and is found in the shade of Hemlock trees transforming to its pink and purple flower. Allyson Portee, Forbes, 3 July 2022 When his ardor flagged, the nymph’s task was to rekindle it. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 See More
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 The eggs hatch into an aquatic larval stage called a nymph, said Mass Audubon. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 By the Fourth of July weekend, the Phoenix resident developed a 100-degree fever, chills and swollen nymph nodes throughout his body. Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 7 Aug. 2022 When the larvae complete their aquatic development, the nymph climbs out of the water, and its outer exoskeleton splits open, allowing the adult dragonfly to emerge, said Mass Audubon. Don Lyman, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Aug. 2022 It’s named after the water-nymph in Homer’s Odyssey, and is found in the shade of Hemlock trees transforming to its pink and purple flower. Allyson Portee, Forbes, 3 July 2022 When his ardor flagged, the nymph’s task was to rekindle it. Judith Thurman, The New Yorker, 20 June 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing nymph
Kids Definition
nymph
noun
ˈnimf
1
: one of many goddesses in old legends represented as beautiful young women living in the mountains, forests, and waters
2
: an immature insect that differs from the adult chiefly in being of smaller size and having undeveloped wings
Medical Definition
nymph
noun
ˈnim(p)f
1
: 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
2
: a mite or tick in the first eight-legged form that immediately follows the last larval molt
3
: a nymphal stage in the life cycle of an insect or acarid
nymph
noun
1
as in mermaid
a mythical goddess represented as a young girl and said to live outdoors she bought the book of fairy tales for the beautiful engravings of nymphs and fairies featured between the stories Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mermaid
- dryad
- naiad
- hamadryad
- oread
- wood nymph
- siren
- water nymph
- Oceanid
- sea-maiden
- sea-maid
- Nereid
2
as in larva
a young wingless often wormlike form (as a grub or caterpillar) that hatches from the egg of many insects mayfly nymphs Synonyms & Similar Words
- larva
- naiad
- pupa
3
as in girl
a female person who has not yet reached adulthood the neighborhood nymphs were gathered at the local pizza parlor Synonyms & Similar Words
- girl
- lass
- filly
- lassie
- missy
- sheila
- miss
- pixie
- teenybopper
- schoolgirl
- junior miss
- tomboy
- pixy
- romp
- hoyden
- bobby-soxer
- gamine
- subdebutante
- snip
