vandal

noun

van·​dal ˈvan-dᵊl 

1

capitalized : a member of a Germanic people who lived in the area south of the Baltic Sea between the Vistula and the Oder rivers, overran Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the fourth and fifth centuries a.d., and in 455 sacked Rome

2

: one who willfully or ignorantly destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging to another or to the public

vandal adjective often capitalized

Vandalic

van-ˈda-lik 

adjective

Synonyms

• defacer

Example Sentences

Vandals defaced the school's walls.

a group of vandals broke into the school and painted graffiti on the walls

Recent Examples on the Web

Authorities are left hanging trying to figure out how the vandals managed to make the school bus-sized outline on the turf facing the esteemed Georgian architecture townhomes. —Yelena Moroz Alpert, House Beautiful, 7 May 2023

The vandals, who were attending the University of San Diego, wrote an apology letter and performed community service to atone. —Diane Bell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Apr. 2023

The Tillamook Rock lighthouse has also been a target for vandals. —Jeastman, oregonlive, 29 Mar. 2023

Banneker’s journals burned when his cottage was set on fire by vandals on the day of his funeral, with only one volume surviving. —Maud Newton, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2023

That bird is Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl that fled the Central Park Zoo earlier this month after vandals cut his wire-mesh enclosure. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2023

Days after a Tucson synagogue welcomed members back inside for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a vandal smashed the door, leading some in the area's Jewish community to worry they're being targeted due to rising tensions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. —Brieanna J. Frank, The Arizona Republic, 19 May 2021

Police noted the artistic efforts of the vandal in a post that went viral on Facebook, and was shared over 1,300 times. —Emily Sweeney, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Feb. 2023

In December 2021, a vandal ripped the shelter’s metal door from its hinges, likely with the aid of a vehicle. —Jenn Morson, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 Feb. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin Vandalī (plural) (Latin Vindilī, Vandiliī), probably borrowed from Germanic *wand-il-, noun derivative from a verbal base *wend- "wind, wrap, turn, move" (whence Old English windan to twist, move with speed or force"), as in *auza-wandil-, perhaps, "dawn-wanderer," name of a star and mythological figure (whence Old Norse Aurvandill, Old English ēarendel) — more at wind entry 3

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vandal

noun

van·​dal ˈvan-dᵊl 

1

capitalized : a member of a Germanic people overrunning Gaul, Spain, and northern Africa in the fourth and fifth centuries a.d.

2

: a person who destroys or damages property on purpose

Etymology

from Latin Vandalii (plural) "The Vandals"; of Germanic origin

Word Origin

The Vandals were a Germanic people who originally lived in northern Europe. In the fourth and fifth centuries, however, other barbarian peoples, especially the Huns, forced the Vandals to migrate westward and southward through what are now the lands of France and Spain. They finally settled in northern Africa. But as they migrated, the Vandals did not just pass through an area. They destroyed many cities and towns. They probably were no worse than other barbarians, but they became widely known for destruction. This probably happened because they invaded and looted the city of Rome in 455. They destroyed or ruined much of what they could not take with them. The Vandals were later defeated by the Roman army but their bad reputation caused their name to be used for "a deliberately destructive person."

Legal Definition

vandal

noun

van·​dal ˈvand-ᵊl 

: a person who willfully destroys, damages, or defaces property belonging to another or to the public

Etymology

Vandal, member of a Germanic tribe who sacked Rome in a.d. 455