Definition:
Nymphs: Names and Types in Greek Mythology | Basics
There are many different types of nymphs in Greek mythology, but they are nature spirits who usually appear as beautiful nubile young females, generally fun-loving, although some try to preserve their chastity. Sometimes women can be changed into nymphs and in Ovid's Metamorphoses you can read about various nymphs being turned into plant forms. Although usually extremely long-lived or immortal, sometimes nymphs can die.
Examples:
The mother of Achilles was a nymph named Thetis who tried to help her infant son by dipping him into a special river with immortality-conferring properties.
