Jump To:

• merlin
  merlin

  noun

  a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere.
• Merlin
  Merlin

  noun

  a venerable magician and seer.

merlin

¹ American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

1. a small, bold falcon, Falco columbarius, of the Northern Hemisphere.

---

Merlin ² American  

[mur-lin] / ˈmɜr lɪn /

noun

1. Arthurian Legend. a venerable magician and seer.

2. a male given name.

---

Merlin ¹ British  

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. (in Arthurian legend) a wizard and counsellor to King Arthur eternally imprisoned in a tree by a woman to whom he revealed his secret craft

---

merlin ² British  

/ ˈmɜːlɪn /

noun

1. a small falcon, Falco columbarius, that has a dark plumage with a black-barred tail: used in falconry See also pigeon hawk

---

Merlin Cultural  

1. In the legends of King Arthur (see also Arthur), a magician who acts as Arthur's principal adviser.

---

Etymology

Origin of merlin

1350–1400; Middle English merlioun, merlone < Anglo-French merilun, Old French esmerillon, diminutive of esmeril < Germanic; akin to German Schmerl, Old Norse smyrill

Example Sentences

How much better loved would it have been had Wenlock been a warlock, a creature spun from the Merlin of Arthurian legend.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

David Moyes' side led 3-2 at Hill Dickinson Stadium when, on a corner, Bernardo Silva held back Toffees midfielder Merlin Rohl - unseen by referee Michael Oliver.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Every version of Merlin the wizard, spanning an expansive gender spectrum.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

“My favorite is the surfing alien,” says Tom Storer, North American project director for Merlin Magic Making, the creative team behind Lego experiences.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

“Let’s not pretend that means nothing. Can you imagine how difficult it’s going to be to explain to Merlin how we let a trainee destroy a priceless artifact of unending power?”

From "Amari and the Night Brothers" by B.B. Alston