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

Celebrate the endless oblivion of eternal night with an evening that recreates the city’s ethereal relationship with vampires in all their forms on this most hallowed of dates. —William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026

There’s energy vampires that suck the energy out of a room. —Matt Young, Houston Chronicle, 20 Mar. 2026

Sinners’ very own vampire Jack O'Connell went in character with dark sunglasses and prosthetic fangs on the red carpet, perhaps still in character as his role as villainous Remmick. —Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026

Her character inherited the mission of destroying vampires and other demons from her town of Sunnydale, which was built on a gateway to the realm of the demons. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 17 Mar. 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