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

The vampires are presented as extensions of the racist white culture that wants to stop the party. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025

The Republican panelist, 53, dramatically swooned into the back of her chair after Jordan, 38, chose to lean forward and give her his best vampiric growl while discussing the Prohibition-era vampire horror film on Monday. —Emlyn Travis, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Vietnamese vampire thriller Daydreamers is getting a U.S. release via Dark Star Pictures, which has set a limited theatrical run from May 2nd and a digital launch from June 3rd. —Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 28 Mar. 2025

Then there's Gracie, who's described as a vampire expert and an acolyte of Buffy's. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Mar. 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