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

• bloodsucker
• buzzard
• harpy
• kite
• predator
• shark
• vulture
• wolf

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

This game, about vampires hidden in a dark reflection of our modern world, eventually grew to be part of the World of Darkness. —Rob Wieland, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025

The news comes as amid the success of Sinners, the Warner Bros vampire horror film that represents Jordan’s fifth collaboration with Ryan Coogler, after both arrived on the scene with 2013’s Sundance Film Festival hit Fruitvale Station. —Patrick Hipes, Deadline, 21 May 2025

The vampire, most often a he, is traditionally a libertine and seducer. —Bruce Handy, Vulture, 20 May 2025

David Boreanaz, who played the vampire Angel, has a son, Jaden, who is a musician who studied at NYU, and a daughter, Bella, who is a high school student. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 May 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