Harpy
[ hahr-pee ]
/ ˈhɑr pi /
Save This Word!
noun, plural Har·pies.
Classical Mythology. a ravenous, filthy monster having a woman's head and a bird's body.
(lowercase) a scolding, nagging, bad-tempered woman; shrew.
(lowercase) a greedy, predatory person.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of Harpy
<Latin Harpȳia, singular of Harpȳiae<Greek Hárpȳiai (plural), literally, snatchers, akin to harpázein to snatch away
OTHER WORDS FROM Harpy
harp·y·like, adjectiveWords nearby Harpy
harp on, harpoon, harpoon gun, harp seal, harpsichord, Harpy, harpy eagle, harquebus, harquebusier, Harrer, harridan
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Harpy in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for Harpy (1 of 2)
harpy
/ (ˈhɑːpɪ) /
noun plural -pies
a cruel grasping woman
Word Origin for harpy
C16: from Latin Harpyia, from Greek Harpuiai the Harpies, literally: snatchers, from harpazein to seize
British Dictionary definitions for Harpy (2 of 2)
Harpy
/ (ˈhɑːpɪ) /
noun plural -pies
Greek myth a ravenous creature with a woman's head and trunk and a bird's wings and claws
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012