harpy

noun
UK: /ˈhɑːpi/
US: /ˈhɑːrpi/

  1. A cruel or unpleasant woman.

    1. My sister is a harpy when she doesn't get her way.
    2. The manager acted like a harpy, yelling at employees for minor mistakes, making everyone's work life miserable.

  2. In mythology, a foul, winged creature, often depicted as having a woman's head and body and bird's legs and claws.

    1. The painting depicted a fearsome harpy swooping down from the sky.
    2. Ancient mariners told tales of the harpy that would steal food and spread disease.

Synonyms

shrew vixen termagant

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "harpy" in English means: A cruel or unpleasant woman., In mythology, a foul, winged creature, often depicted as having a woman's head and body and bird's legs and claws..

The phonetic transcription of "harpy" is /ˈhɑːpi/ in British English and /ˈhɑːrpi/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "harpy": shrew, vixen, termagant.

Example usage of "harpy": "My sister is a harpy when she doesn't get her way.". More examples on the page.