water nymph

American  

noun

1. a nymph of the water, as a naiad, a Nereid, or an Oceanid.

2. water lily.

3. any aquatic plant of the genus Najas, having narrow, opposite leaves.

---

water nymph British  

noun

1. any fabled nymph of the water, such as the Naiad, Nereid, or Oceanid of Greek mythology

2. any of various aquatic plants, esp a water lily or a naiad

---

Etymology

Origin of water nymph

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The word “Nyad” is a derivation of “naiad,” the water nymph from Greek mythology.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 20, 2023

The water nymph heroine of Antonin Dvorak’s best-known opera never stands a chance against the witch Jezibaba - especially as played to the hilt by the powerhouse mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton.

From Washington Times • Feb. 22, 2017

Although some lab-mates campaigned for the water nymph to be named after Angelina Jolie’s mouth-parts, co-author Gregg Gunnell sided with Miller.

From The Guardian • Sep. 11, 2014

The water nymph Rusalka sings her lyrical showpiece, the “Song to the Moon,” while lying atop a kiosk.

From New York Times • Mar. 9, 2012

He was a keeper of bees, the son of Apollo and a water nymph, Cyrene.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton