vampire

noun

vam·​pire ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r How to pronounce vampire (audio)
Synonyms of vampirenext
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 How to pronounce vampire (audio)
adjective
vampirish
ˈvam-ˌpī(-ə)r-ish How to pronounce vampire (audio)
adjective

Synonyms of vampire

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The actor, who gravitates toward outré romantic roles—see last year’s BDSM romcom Pillion or his tenure as a Nordic vampire on HBO’s True Blood—is beloved online, so a big reaction was to be expected. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 26 Oct. 2026 Soon, many of Springfield’s residents are also creatures of the night, and Lisa swears to kill the head vampire. — Joshua Kurp, Vulture, 26 Oct. 2026 The Atlas Group primed viewers to read his documents as unstable, but the later work asks them to contend with shrunken objects, resurrected paintings, and vampires lurking in the archive. — Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 25 Oct. 2026 David [Dastmalchian] is a real-life vampire, for sure, but in the best way. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for vampire

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of vampire was in 1732

Phrases Containing vampire

Browse Nearby Words

vamphorn
vampire
vampire bat
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Vampire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vampire. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

vampire

noun
vam·​pire ˈvam-ˌpī(ə)r How to pronounce vampire (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on vampire

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vampire

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