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

• bloodsucker
• buzzard
• harpy
• kite
• predator
• shark
• vulture
• wolf

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

Soon after getting cast as Klaus in 2011, Morgan began dating costar Persia White, who played a nature-loving and humble vampire named Abby. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 1 June 2024

Following her death, Queen of the Damned was released in 2002, which saw Aaliyah starring as a vampire named Akasha in the horror film. —Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024

Isadora Moon is about a kid that’s half fairy and half vampire. —Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2024

Indonesian star Arifin Putra and newcomer Eloise Lovell Anderson lead the cast, with Cronin playing the head vampire, Madison. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 May 2024

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