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

Janelle Monáe as a retro vampire Suddenly, the biter has become the bitten at Vampire Beach. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2025

Popping into a camp full of allies newly wary of the 428-year-old vampire in their midst, Regis begins by clearing up the misconception that he can be repelled by garlic, then drops a line about Jaskier’s blood smelling good. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025

When a young woman (Michie Tomizawa) becomes the target of a powerful vampire lord, Count Lee (Seizô Katô) — first in a ruthless countryside attack, later an abduction — D takes it upon himself to save her. —Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025

Laurence Fishburne joins the cast as the higher vampire Regis, rocking a fanciful new look. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 30 Oct. 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