what is a nymph in greek mythology

In Greek mythology, nymphs are a large class of inferior female divinities associated with nature. They were usually connected with fertile, growing things such as trees or water, and were generally regarded as personifications of nature, typically tied to a specific place or landform. Nymphs were not immortal but were extremely long-lived and were on the whole kindly disposed toward men. They were distinguished according to the sphere of nature with which they were connected, such as the Oceanids, Nereids, Naiads, Oreads, and Dryads, each associated with different natural elements like the sea, freshwater, springs, rivers, lakes, mountains, and forests. Nymphs were often the companions of gods and were spirits invariably bound to places, not unlike the Latin genius loci. They were known for being part of the entourage of some of the more lively gods, and they were often depicted as alluring, irresistible, and tantalizing young beings, sometimes taking the role of lovers to gods and heroes, or in some cases, their mothers.