mermaid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, folklore, informal, fantasy
Quick answer
What does “mermaid” mean?
A mythical sea creature with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical sea creature with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.
A performer or entertainer, especially in a theme park or aquarium, who swims underwater wearing a decorative fish-like tail. Figuratively, it can refer to a person, typically a woman, who is an excellent swimmer or is deeply drawn to the sea. It is also a symbol of mystery, seduction, or danger associated with the sea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is spelled and used identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both British and American English, primarily due to globalized popular culture (e.g., Disney).
Grammar
How to Use “mermaid” in a Sentence
The + ADJ + mermaid + VERBlegend/ story/ tale of a mermaiddress/ swim like a mermaidVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mermaid” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The show features performers who will mermaid for the audience's delight.
American English
- At the camp, kids learn how to mermaid using a monofin.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in branding for swimwear, aquariums, or themed entertainment (e.g., 'Mermaid Lagoon Restaurant').
Academic
Used in literature, folklore, cultural studies, and gender studies to discuss myth, symbolism, and archetypes.
Everyday
Common in conversation about fairy tales, fantasy films, costumes (e.g., Halloween), or describing a very skilled swimmer.
Technical
Used in marine biology for 'mermaid's purse'. In performing arts, refers to a specific type of aquatic entertainer.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mermaid”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mermaid”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mermaid”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to mermaid'). Incorrectly using it for male figures (should be 'merman').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern usage, they are often conflated. Traditionally, sirens from Greek myth were bird-women who lured sailors with song, while mermaids are fish-women. However, mermaid legends often incorporate siren-like singing.
No. The male equivalent is a 'merman'. The word 'mermaid' is inherently feminine.
Informally, yes, especially in the context of the performance art 'mermaiding' (swimming with a monofin tail). However, this is a recent, niche usage and not standard in formal writing.
No. While modern portrayals (e.g., Disney) are often friendly, traditional folklore frequently depicts mermaids as ominous omens, bringers of storms, or creatures who drown men, similar to sirens.
A mythical sea creature with the head and upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.
Mermaid is usually literary, folklore, informal, fantasy in register.
Mermaid: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜː.meɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝː.meɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A mermaid's purse (the egg case of a skate or ray)”
- “Mermaid's tears (sea-worn glass)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: MER (sea in French) + MAID (a young woman) = a maid of the sea.
Conceptual Metaphor
WOMAN IS A MYSTICAL SEA CREATURE (implies beauty, allure, and danger); THE SEA IS A FEMININE REALM.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary habitat of a mermaid in folklore?