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

While the four vampires (plus their Monster and the Guide, played by Kristen Schaal) are largely unfazed by the news, Guillermo starts to spiral, seemingly unable to accept that this is the end of everything he's worked so hard for (under the watchful eye of the cameras). —Stacy Lambe, People.com, 17 Dec. 2024

The show ran from 1997 to 2003 and saw Gellar’s Buffy Summers seek out and destroy vampires, demons and other forces of darkness, with the help of her friends. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Dec. 2024

Sherwin's work combines vampires, science fiction, and gaming elements – a mix that might seem unwieldy in traditional publishing, but has proven wildly successful in the digital space. —Damion Taylor, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Working opposite a terrifying ancient vampire wasn’t the most disturbing part of making Nosferatu for Nicholas Hoult. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 12 Dec. 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