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

One raucous night at the local juke joint, a bluesy and boozy speakeasy that caters to Black patrons, turns into a fight for survival when vampires attempt to enter the premises. —Nick Romano, EW.com, 28 Jan. 2025

The deadly deal with the devil — or in this case, vampire — unleashes a plague on the couple’s village in this remake of the 1922 German Expressionist classic. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 26 Jan. 2025

Just Wore a Polka Dot Dress From Your Mom’s Favorite Brand Beyond that, vampires are so in. —Kleigh Balugo, StyleCaster, 22 Jan. 2025

Robert Pattinson may have played a vampire whose girlfriend’s blood smelled irresistible to him, but that scenario wouldn’t be a problem for the actor in real life because … his nose is built different? —Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 22 Jan. 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