merman: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1 / Low-FrequencyLiterary, mythological, informal (when used metaphorically)
Quick answer
What does “merman” mean?
A mythical creature with the upper body of a man and the tail of a fish.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical creature with the upper body of a man and the tail of a fish; the male equivalent of a mermaid.
Sometimes used humorously or metaphorically to refer to a man who is an excellent swimmer or feels a strong affinity with the sea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties; evokes fantasy, mythology, and the sea.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialised in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “merman” in a Sentence
[be + N][see/encounter + N][legend/story/tale + of + the + N][the + N + verb]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in studies of mythology, folklore, literature, and cultural studies.
Everyday
Rare. Used when discussing myths, fairy tales, fantasy films/books, or humorously describing a skilled swimmer.
Technical
Not applicable in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “merman”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “merman”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “merman”
- Using 'merman' to refer to a professional diver. Confusing 'merman' (singular) with 'mermen' (plural). Misspelling as 'mereman'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar. 'Triton' often refers specifically to the son of Poseidon/Neptune in Greek/Roman myth, while 'merman' is a more general term for any male equivalent of a mermaid across global folklore.
The female equivalent is a 'mermaid'.
No, 'merman' is exclusively a noun. The related adjective is often 'merfolk' (for the group) or simply described as 'merman-like'.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised word. You will encounter it primarily in literature, fantasy genres, folklore discussions, or humorous metaphors.
A mythical creature with the upper body of a man and the tail of a fish.
Merman is usually literary, mythological, informal (when used metaphorically) in register.
Merman: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɜːmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɝːˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'merman']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MERmaid + MAN = MERMAN. Think of the 'Mer' from 'mermaid' combined with 'man'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HUMAN IS A HYBRID CREATURE (man + fish); THE SEA IS A MYTHICAL REALM.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'merman' be LEAST appropriate?