Meaning & use

nymph

noun·Advanced

In Greek and Roman mythology, a minor female nature spirit associated with a place such as a forest or river.

See it in a sentence

According to legend, a nymph lived in the spring at the edge of the forest.

The painting depicts several nymphs dancing beside a moonlit river at dusk.

A note on using this word

In biology, 'nymph' also names the young, wingless stage of certain insects before they become adults.

Words with a similar meaning

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Another way to use it

2. noun

An immature form of certain insects that resembles a small, wingless version of the adult.

The dragonfly nymph lived underwater for nearly a year before emerging with wings.

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