merman
noun
(in folklore) a male marine creature, having the head, torso, and arms of a man and the tail of a fish.
merman
1 American
[mur-man]
/ ˈmɜrˌmæn /
noun
-
mermen
plural
-
(in folklore) a male marine creature, having the head, torso, and arms of a man and the tail of a fish.
-
a highly skilled male swimmer.
Merman
2
American
[mur-muhn]
/ ˈmɜr mən /
noun
merman
British
/ ˈmɜːˌmæn /
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of merman
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Louie’s face appears on a merman swimming near a shipwreck.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 7, 2025
But the first mermaid that comes into focus doesn’t so much evoke wonder as it does a flashback of Ben Stiller’s merman in “Zoolander.”
From Washington Times ● May 23, 2023
After sneaking into Wakanda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Marvel’s merman demigod Namor emerges from the water in the darkness.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2022
One merman even ventured into a local tavern, where he splayed himself out atop the bar, puffing a long cigarette.
From Slate ● Jan. 24, 2020
“The merman of Manderly was not amongst those banners Lady Melisandre saw in her fires,” Jon said.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Ethel Merman picked up a wine glass and gently squeezed the top.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 1, 2026
Jerry Zucker: In terms of Ethel Merman and Barbara Billingsley, we thought of a joke: "What if someone said he thinks he's Ethel Merman, and it was her?"
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2023
I would get to sing with Ethel Merman and Carol Channing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2022
Floating in the Sacramento pool where fellow attendees of the California convention had gathered, Merman Maui summed up the importance of the community this way: “I have a new family with all these people.”
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 22, 2022
“I don’t know, either. Ethel Merman sings it.”
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
Ariel, played by Halle Bailey, is Black and hails from a mixed-race family of mermaids and mermen.
From Washington Times ● May 25, 2023
Majesty: Hairy, potbellied mermen are taking the Canadian coast by storm, reinventing Newfoundland’s maritime culture and challenging the local, traditional ideas of manhood.
From Slate ● Jan. 24, 2020
The TV production stars what appear to be very young versions of mermaids and mermen in stories that teach basic math, reading and social skills.
From New York Times ● Apr. 12, 2018
Dive Bar’s 40-foot-long aquarium, located above the main bar, holds 7,500 gallons of saltwater, 60-some tropical fish and, on occasion, mermaids and mermen.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 14, 2018
Harry struggled to fight off the mermen, but they laughed harder than ever, holding him back.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
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