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

Fright Night cast him as a magnetic vampire whose polished demeanor hides something far darker. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025

Lord Vampyre’s Very Important Monsters Costume Party — Compete in a costume contest hosted by the Lego vampire. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

On the plus side, no vampires were detected in the baby cohort. —New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025

Whether spinning De La Soul and underground hip-hop or mixing AC/DC with Biggie Smalls, Ronson both reveled in the auditory stimulation with fellow vampires and slipped into the dangers of too many dark rooms. —Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Sep. 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