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

Bill Skarsgård’s Count Orlok is more a Romanian folk vampire — decayed but still quite libidinous — than suave, past aristocrats limned by Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee. —Bob Strauss, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024

Skarsgard’s character was never named, but Shadows has a tradition of bringing back famous vampires from movies and TV shows. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 2 Dec. 2024

Robert Eggers' terrifying interpretation of Nosferatu is heading for theaters this Christmas, starring Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter in this tale of a haunted young woman and the vampire who has an infatuation with her. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 29 Nov. 2024

Various theoretical, even divergent, details have been posited regarding the project — a period vampire thriller, a helicopter action thriller — but insiders maintain that nothing has come close to nailing Nolan’s real idea. —Borys Kit, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 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