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 1994 classic, an adaptation of Anne Rice‘s 1976 novel, featured Louis (Brad Pitt) telling the story of how he was turned into a vampire by Lestat (Tom Cruise). — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026 As the villains, Jamie Foxx and Dane DeHaan are trapped in Z-movie outfits and motivations — Foxx’s Max Diillon is a Spidey fan transformed by an eel attack, DeHaan’s Harry Osborn is basically a vampire. — Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Aug. 2026 The two-time Oscar winner never appeared in live-action as the popular vampire-hunting anti-hero, despite Marvel Studios hiring director Bassam Tariq, and later Yann Demange, to helm the film. — Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026 The show followed Buffy Summers, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, as a high school student who also saves the world from vampires and demons. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 31 July 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 5 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of vampire for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about vampire

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