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 of vampire

• 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

And making the eyes of the vampires glow red was no easy feat. — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Rather than approaching Báthory through conventional psychological realism, Ottinger conceived Huppert’s vampire as an imperious, almost mythic presence. — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026

As expected, there are a lot of battles between the vampire and Van Helsing that will thrill kids. — Kara Nesvig, Parents, 29 Aug. 2026

Her superpower had nothing to do with vampires and everything to do with her staggering talent. — Judy Berman, Time, 26 Aug. 2026

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