naiad

noun

na·​iad ˈnā-əd 

ˈnī-,

-ˌad 

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

Synonyms

• dryad
• hamadryad
• nymph
• oread
• wood nymph

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French naïade, from Latin naiad-, naias, from Greek, from nan to flow — more at nourish

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

naiad

noun

na·​iad ˈnā-əd  ˈnī- 

-ˌad

plural naiads or naiades -ə-ˌdēz 

1

: one of the nymphs living in lakes, rivers, springs, and fountains

2

: a water-dwelling larva of some insects (as a mayfly, dragonfly, damselfly, or stone fly)