Galatea

noun

Gal·​a·​tea ˌga-lə-ˈtē-ə How to pronounce Galatea (audio)
: a female figure sculpted by Pygmalion and given life by Aphrodite in fulfillment of his prayer

Examples of Galatea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Singing the role of Galatea is soprano Nola Richardson, with tenor James Reese at her side as Acis and bass-baritone Douglas Ray Williams as the brutish Polyphemus. — Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 20 Feb. 2025 But in recent years, Egyptian blue has been found in Renaissance artworks, including Giovanni Battista Benvenuto’s 1524 painting St. Margaret and Raphael’s 1512 fresco The Triumph of Galatea. — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek Galateia

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Galatea was in the 14th century

Rhymes for Galatea

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Browse Nearby Words

Galata
Galatea
Galaţi
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Cite this Entry

“Galatea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Galatea. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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