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

See Examples For:

Lorelei

Deputies responded to the 5800 block of Lorelei Avenue around 8 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 18, 2026

In a month rife with original indie games, including Animal Well and Lorelei and the Laser Eyes, there has seemingly been something for every player.

From New York Times ● May 23, 2024

Lorelei King, 69, was holding two A4 posters, which she showed to the former health secretary as he stepped out of a black Jaguar.

From BBC ● Jun. 27, 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

Last year, in second grade, there had been four girls who were always exchanging looks with one another—Becky Baker, Lorelei Sun, Andrea Hennessey, and Eileen Garrett.

From "The Lemonade War" by Jacqueline Davies