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

The vampire at the center of Rice’s beloved novels has flirted with music before. —Precious Fondren, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

The evening will conclude with an extraordinary midnight screening of Tony Scott’s vampire The Hunger (Miriam si sveglia a mezzanotte). —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 18 June 2026

Hugh Jackman has fought mutants, slayed vampires and gone toe-to-toe dancing with Zac Efron. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Park’s plaintive gamer-vampire is witty, too. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 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