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 camera also reveals the three vampires — Remmick (Jack O’Connell), Joan (Lola Kirke) and Bert (Peter Dreimanis) — observing it all from a distance. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 22 Jan. 2026

What do vampires and Hollywood have in common? —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Its lead character is Harry Dresden, a professional wizard operating out of the city of Chicago in a world where ghouls, ghosts, werewolves and vampires exist in the shadows of modern society. —Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 21 Jan. 2026

Which raises the question, if ENHYPEN are the vampires, how do ENGENE fit in? —Jae-Ha Kim, Rolling Stone, 19 Jan. 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