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

And while flying requires substantially more energy than running, the researchers believe the vampires and similarly burning amino acids for flight as well. —Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024

Step aside Disney princesses, vampires and minions – another Halloween costume may have joined the list of most popular getups for 2024: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024

The game still uses the basic mechanics but allows players to explore the iconic Staten Island house where all the vampire live. —Rob Wieland, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024

Instead of staking vampires or werewolves, people executives are confronting office bullies and lackluster managers. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 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