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

• 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

The creatures move confidently across the island's terrain, both vast and cramped, and often emerge with a vampire's stealth from shadows, smoke and night itself. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 30 June 2025

Set in 1930s Mississippi, and loosely inspired by the director’s family’s real-life experiences in the Jim Crow South, the film is much more than your typical vampire story. —Ew Staff Published, EW.com, 30 June 2025

However their plans are thwarted after a vampire (Jack O’Connell) begins to prey on their business. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 30 June 2025

At first thought, Jonathan Frid as the vampire Barnabas Collins comes to mind. —Marc Berman, Forbes.com, 27 June 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