1 vampire | Definition of vampire

vampire

noun
vam·​pire | \ ˈvam-ËŒpÄ«(-É™)r How to pronounce vampire (audio) \

Definition of vampire

1 : the reanimated body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of persons asleep
2a : one who lives by preying on others
b : a woman who exploits and ruins her lover

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Other Words from vampire

vampiric \ vam-​ˈpir-​ik How to pronounce vampiric (audio) \ adjective
vampirish \ ˈvam-​ËŒpÄ«(-​É™)r-​ish How to pronounce vampirish (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for vampire

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

prey

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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

It was announced in November 2011 that Cyrus — the star, at the time, of the hit Disney series Hannah Montana, which ran from 2006-2011— was cast as teenaged vampire Mavis, the daughter of Adam Sandler's Dracula. Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, "Miley Cyrus Was Fired From 'Hotel Transylvania' for Penis Cake Photos," 22 Aug. 2019 Jared Leto will star as the titular vampire in Morbius. Eliana Dockterman, Time, "What the Future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe Looks Like Without Spider-Man," 22 Aug. 2019 The film also starred Christian Slater as a journalist interviewing Pitt’s character decades after the start of the movie, and featured Antonio Banderas as another vampire. Ale Russian, PEOPLE.com, "Kirsten Dunst Still Thinks Her Kiss with Brad Pitt 25 Years Ago Was 'Gross'," 22 Aug. 2019 Malese appeared on season 1 of The Vampire Diaries as a vampire named Anna Zhu. Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Everything You Need to Know About Ian Somerhalder's Love Life," 1 July 2019 The show centered around Elena’s relationships with the vampire Salvatore brothers, Stefan and his brother Damon. Kara Nesvig, Teen Vogue, ""The Vampire Diaries" Stars Nina Dobrev and Paul Wesley Apparently Didn't Get Along While Filming the Show," 11 June 2019 LeBron wore a shirt with himself on it as a vampire and Redfoo from LMFAO joined the fun, too. Morgan Enos, Billboard, "Drake's 8 Most Memorable Sports Fan Moments," 3 May 2018 If so, the deceased was likely a vampire, according to the belief. Author: Michael E. Ruane, Anchorage Daily News, "Remains of an American ‘vampire’ were found about 30 years ago. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 1 Aug. 2019 But what's better than one day of witches and vampires roaming the street? Scottie Andrew And Brian Ries, CNN, "The people behind that Halloween petition want to create a new holiday: National Trick or Treat Day," 31 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'vampire.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of vampire

1732, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for vampire

borrowed from French, borrowed from German Vampir, borrowed from Serbian vampir

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More Definitions for vampire

vampire

noun

English Language Learners Definition of vampire

in stories : a dead person who leaves the grave at night to bite and suck the blood of living people

vampire

noun
vam·​pire | \ ˈvam-ËŒpÄ«r How to pronounce vampire (audio) \

Kids Definition of vampire

: the body of a dead person believed to come from the grave at night and suck the blood of sleeping people

vampire

noun
vam·​pire | \ ˈvam-ËŒpÄ«(É™)r How to pronounce vampire (audio) \

Medical Definition of vampire

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