Lorelei

American  

[lawr-uh-lahy, loh-ruh-lahy] / ˈlɔr əˌlaɪ, ˈloʊ rəˌlaɪ /

noun

1. a quasilegendary nymph of the Rhine who lured sailors to shipwreck on her rock by singing: a creation of Clemens Brentano in a poem of 1800.

2. a female given name.

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Lorelei British  

/ ˈlɒrəˌlaɪ /

noun

1. (in German legend) a siren, said to dwell on a rock at the edge of the Rhine south of Koblenz, who lures boatmen to destruction

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Etymology

Origin of Lorelei

< German, variant of Lurlei, cliff overlooking the Rhine, thought to be the abode of a nymph

Example Sentences

For some like Lorelei and her friends, rationing pills has been the only option and holding down a job has become too much as their original symptoms have returned.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024

Marilyn Monroe stars as Lorelei, a showgirl engaged to Gus, much to the disapproval of Gus’s father.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2024

The county is regulating environmental impacts, requiring that companies take steps to reduce air pollution, said Lorelei Oviatt, director of the county’s Planning and Natural Resources Department.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2023

In California, Lorelei Barrett and Athena Ryan qualified for the state preliminary track-and-field championships in May with top-three finishes in the 1600m.

From Washington Times • Jun. 1, 2023

“I never even had a chance to tell him there’s no Lorelei Lumley!”

From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman