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

Hallmarks of the best Halloween travel destinations usually entail a moody fall landscape, local legends that involve a tetchy ghost, vampire, or other variety of ominous being, and themed activities like pumpkin patches and cemetery tours. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Oct. 2025

The wonderfully ridiculous brainchild of co-stars/directors Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement, the mockumentary follows a group of vampires living in an apartment in New Zealand and struggling with the idiosyncrasies of modern times. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 18 Oct. 2025

This is the essence of the palpable belief in the vampire. —Robert Eggers, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2025

Van Helsing, the resident vampire expert (who’s traditionally played by a man) is played by Severo herself. —Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 17 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