# mermaid

/ˈmɝˌmeɪd/ (US) · /mˈɜːmeɪd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mermaid
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. mythological creature

noun · CEFR B1

a legendary creature with the upper body of a woman and the tail of a fish.

For teachers: a mythological aquatic creature possessing the head and torso of a woman and the caudal fin of a fish.

- In the old story, the mermaid traded her voice for a pair of legs.
- Sailors in the nineteenth century often claimed to have spotted mermaids, though modern historians suggest these were likely misidentified manatees.

### 2. a prostitute

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Vulgar

an old, offensive word for a woman who sells sex.

For teachers: a historical and derogatory term for a prostitute.

- The old play used the word mermaid to describe a woman of the streets.
- In Elizabethan drama, the term mermaid was frequently employed as a euphemism for a prostitute, playing on the theme of dangerous temptation.

Usage: This sense is entirely obsolete in modern conversation and is only encountered in Renaissance literature.

## Examples

- The little girl dressed up as a mermaid for the party.
- Sailors in ancient times often told stories of seeing a mermaid sitting on the rocks during long voyages.
- In many coastal cultures, the mermaid is a dual symbol representing both the enchanting beauty of the ocean and the deadly dangers of the deep sea.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.