vampire

noun

vam·​pire ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r 

1

: the reanimated body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons asleep

2

a

: one who lives by preying on others

b

: a woman who exploits and ruins her lover

3

: vampire bat

vampiric

vam-ˈpir-ik 

adjective

vampirish

ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r-ish 

adjective

Synonyms of vampire

• predator
• shark

Examples of vampire in a Sentence

regarded debt collectors as vampires who made a living from the misery of others

Recent Examples on the Web

Hiller says this small appliance can be a fire hazard and an energy vampire (an appliance that draws energy while not in use). —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 21 Dec. 2025

At one point the movie was stripped down to only its barest essentials and ran 90 minutes, because the filmmakers were under pressure to get to the vampires faster. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 2025

The Academy loves itself some witches and vampires these days. —Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 16 Dec. 2025

Jones is a modern master of horror, and his new novel about a vampire who haunts the Blackfeet reservation, is a welcome reminder. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, borrowed from German Vampir, borrowed from Serbian vampir

First Known Use

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing vampire

• vampire bat

Kids Definition

vampire

noun

vam·​pire ˈvam-ˌpī(ə)r 

1

: the body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of sleeping persons

2

: vampire bat

Medical Definition

vampire

noun

vam·​pire ˈvam-ˌpī(ə)r 

: vampire bat