vampire

noun
vam·​pire | \ ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)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

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from vampire

vampiric \ vam-​ˈpir-​ik How to pronounce vampiric (audio) \ adjective
vampirish \ ˈvam-​ˌpī(-​ə)r-​ish How to pronounce vampirish (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms for vampire

Synonyms

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

Antonyms

prey

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

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

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 If so, the deceased was likely a vampire, according to the belief. Michael E. Ruane, courant.com, "A ‘vampire’s’ remains were found about 30 years ago in Connecticut. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 31 July 2019 If so, the deceased was likely a vampire, according to the belief. oregonlive.com, "A ‘vampire’s’ remains were found about 30 years ago. Now DNA is giving him new life.," 31 July 2019 Everything that made the character — and vampires in general — cool began with Lugosi. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, "'Hotel Transylvania 3': Ranking the best movie Draculas, from Bela Lugosi to Adam Sandler," 9 July 2018 Bang, who monkeyed around with Elisabeth Moss in The Square and faced Claire Foy in The Girl in the Spider’s Web, strokes his fangs as the titular vampire, with blood splatter coating his black-and-white ensemble. Nick Romano, EW.com, "Dracula arrives in first blood-splattered look at Sherlock creators' miniseries," 5 July 2019 The main lesson: If Google is a data vampire, Chrome is its fangs. Washington Post, "Our tech columnist answers your questions about how to protect your privacy while using Chrome, the most popular Web browser.," 27 June 2019 The main lesson: If Google is a data vampire, Chrome is its fangs. The Washington Post, The Mercury News, "Help desk: How to fight the spies in Chrome browser," 27 June 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.

See More

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

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

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-ˌpīr 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-ˌpī(ə)r How to pronounce vampire (audio) \

Medical Definition of vampire

Keep scrolling for more