What does "vampire" mean?
A mythological creature (usually humanoid and undead) said to feed on the blood or life energy of the living.
Vampire
/ˈvæm.paɪ.ə(ɹ)/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A mythological creature (usually humanoid and undead) said to feed on the blood or life energy of the living.
- Grammar: vampire is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: adventuress, afreet, ape-man, archetype.
- Useful contrasts: altruist, benefactor, finitude.
- Usage evidence: Chris defeated the vampire knight!
How to use "vampire"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "vampire" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "vampire" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "vampire" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "vampire" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "vampire" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "adventuress" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "vampire", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A mythological creature (usually humanoid and undead) said to feed on the blood or life energy of the living.
"Bram Stoker's novel Dracula built on centuries-old stories of vampires and also encouraged new growth of the mythology."
- 2 (folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living wordnet
- 3 A person with habits traditionally ascribed to (literal) vampires, such as heliophobia, being a night owl, having pale skin, and so on. colloquial, humorous, usually
"Near-synonyms: heliophobe, goth"
- 4 A person with the medical condition porphyria cutanea tarda, colloquially known as vampirism, with effects such as photosensitivity and brownish-red stained teeth. colloquial
- 5 A blood-sucking bat; vampire bat (Desmodus rotundus)
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A person who drains one's time, energy, money, etc. derogatory, figuratively
"emotional vampire"
- 7 A vamp: a seductive woman who exploits men. dated
""What followed this decision was exactly what we had expected: Mr. Fox, realizing that the public was tiring of Theda Bara in vampire roles, announced that he would star her in a production of Romeo and Juliet," she illustrated."
- 8 A medical technician who works with patients' blood; especially, a phlebotomist. US, slang
"Only one technician in the hospital lab, in all we have encountered, uses it. […] Eric makes no complaints other than those directed at the vampires. Brenda and I do."
- 9 Synonym of anti-ship missile (ASM), particularly an incoming hostile one. US, jargon
"Vampire. Vampire. Vampire. Battle stations."
Verb
- 1 To drain of energy or resources. figuratively, transitive
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Chris defeated the vampire knight!"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "vampire"?
Common synonyms include: adventuress, afreet, ape-man, archetype, aspasia, baba yaga.
How do you use "vampire" in a sentence?
Chris defeated the vampire knight!
How do you pronounce "vampire"?
Pronounced /ˈvæm.paɪ.ə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
From French vampire, from German Vampir, via Hungarian from a Slavic word, probably Serbo-Croatian vàmpīr /ва̀мпӣр, from Proto-Slavic *ǫpyrь. Doublet of oupire.