plural naiads or naiades
ˈnā-ə-ˌdēz 
ˈnī-
1
: any of the nymphs in classical mythology living in and giving life to lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains
2
: an aquatic insect nymph (as of a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)
3
: any of a genus (Najas of the family Hydrocharitaceae) of submerged aquatic plants
Examples of naiad in a Sentence
in Greek mythology, naiads supposedly drowned the young men with whom they became enamored
students in science class learning how to distinguish a dragonfly naiad from an earthworm
Recent Examples on the Web
Today, the naiads frolic in water that is periodically drained for cleaning and maintenance.
—
David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
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David Laskin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2024
And now, as played with fierce physicality and grueling commitment by Annette Bening, Diana is a movie character: an impossible person who achieved the impossible, a naiad whose truer mythological counterpart might be Narcissus.
—Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2023
Leighton set his youthful figure — a classical nymph or naiad — in a Mediterranean setting.
—Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2022
The lovely Arcadia region, lush with cypress, poplar, and olive groves, bears traces of the virgin wilderness where nymphs, naiads, and the horned god Pan once frolicked.
—Thomas Linkel, National Geographic, 18 July 2019
Dictionary Entries Near naiad
Cite this Entry
“Naiad.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naiad. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
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