nymphal

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

nymph /nɪmf/   n. [countable]

1. Mythology any of various minor divinities of mythology thought of as beautiful young women living in the sea, a river, a tree, or a mountain.
2. a beautiful or graceful young woman.
3. Insects the young of an insect.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

nymph  (nimf ), n. 

1. Mythology one of a numerous class of lesser deities of mythology, conceived of as beautiful maidens inhabiting the sea, rivers, woods, trees, mountains, meadows, etc., and frequently mentioned as attending a superior deity.
2. a beautiful or graceful young woman.
3. a maiden.
4. Insects the young of an insect that undergoes incomplete metamorphosis.

• Greek nýmphē bride, nymph
• Latin nympha
• 1350–1400; Middle English nimphe

nymph′al, nym•phe•an  (nim′fē ən), adj.  Synonyms

• 1. naiad, nereid, oread, dryad, hamadryad. See sylph.