Definition

1. Noun:
   • A voluptuously beautiful young woman: A term used to describe a young woman who is considered exceptionally and sensually beautiful.
   • A larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis: In zoology, a nymph is the immature form of certain insects (e.g., dragonflies, mayflies) that resembles the adult but is smaller and lacks fully developed wings and reproductive organs.
   • (Classical mythology) A minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden: In Greek and Roman mythology, a nymph is a female spirit of nature, often associated with a specific natural feature like a forest, river, or mountain, and typically portrayed as a beautiful young woman.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Beautiful woman):
  • The artist's model was described as a nymph, captivating everyone in the studio.
• Noun (Insect larva):
  • After hatching from the egg, the mayfly lives as an aquatic nymph for up to a year.
• Noun (Mythological being):
  • According to the myth, the nymph Echo could only repeat the words of others.

Advanced Usage

• "Nymph-like": Resembling or characteristic of a nymph, especially in beauty or grace.
  • She moved with a nymph-like lightness across the stage.
• In literature and poetry, "nymph" is often used metaphorically to evoke natural beauty, youth, and a connection to the wild.
  • The poet compared the running stream to a laughing nymph.

Variants and Related Words

• Nymphean (adj): Of or relating to a nymph; resembling a nymph.
  • The garden had a nymphean tranquility.
• Nymphal (adj): Pertaining to a nymph, especially the insect stage.
  • The nymphal stage precedes the adult insect.
• Nympholepsy (n): A state of rapture or ecstasy, especially one inspired by a desire for the unattainable, originally associated with a frenzy caused by longing for a nymph.
• Dryad/Oread/Naiad (n): Specific types of nymphs in mythology (tree, mountain, and water nymphs, respectively).

Synonyms

• Maiden: (For the mythological sense) A young unmarried woman; often used poetically.
• Larva: (For the zoological sense) The immature, wingless form of an insect.
• Beauty: (For the sense of a beautiful woman) A beautiful woman.

Related Phrases

• "Nymph and shepherd": A common theme in pastoral art and poetry depicting romantic or idyllic scenes between a nymph and a shepherd.
• "Water nymph": A specific term for a nymph associated with a body of water, such as a Naiad or Nereid.

Noun

1. a voluptuously beautiful young woman
2. a larva of an insect with incomplete metamorphosis (as the dragonfly or mayfly)
3. (classical mythology) a minor nature goddess usually depicted as a beautiful maiden
   • the ancient Greeks believed that nymphs inhabited forests and bodies of water