Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mythical undead creature: In folklore and popular culture, a vampire is a reanimated corpse that is believed to leave its grave at night to drink the blood of the living, often by biting their necks.
   • A person who preys on others: Figuratively, a vampire can describe a person who ruthlessly exploits or drains the resources, energy, or emotions of others.
   • A type of bat: In zoology, "vampire" can refer to certain species of bats (e.g., the common vampire bat) that feed on the blood of animals.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Mythical Creature):
  • The legend tells of a vampire sleeping in a coffin during the day.
  • She dressed as a vampire for Halloween, complete with fake fangs.
• Noun (Exploitative Person):
  • He was an emotional vampire, constantly demanding attention and sympathy.
  • The loan shark was a financial vampire, sucking the life out of the community.
• Noun (Animal):
  • The vampire bat is found in Central and South America.

Advanced Usage

• "Vampire" as a cultural archetype: The vampire is a common figure in Gothic literature and horror films, often symbolizing themes of desire, immortality, and the forbidden.
  • Bram Stoker's "Dracula" established the modern literary vampire.
• "Vampire" in modern slang: Sometimes used informally to describe someone who stays up very late at night.
  • I'm such a vampire this week, working until 3 a.m. every night.

Variants and Related Words

• Vampiric (adj): Of, relating to, or characteristic of a vampire.
  • The castle had a vampiric atmosphere.
• Vampirism (n): The practices or condition of being a vampire; the act of blood-drinking.
  • The novel explored the curse of vampirism.

Synonyms

• Bloodsucker: Literal for the creature; figurative for an exploitative person.
• Ghoul: A different type of monstrous creature from folklore, sometimes used similarly.
• Parasite: A close synonym for the figurative meaning of a person who lives off others.

Related Phrases

• Vampire bat: The common name for bats of the subfamily Desmodontinae.
• Vampire squid: The common name for , a deep-sea cephalopod.
• Energy vampire: A modern colloquial term for a person who drains others' emotional energy.

Related Idioms

• To have a vampire's thirst for something: To have an insatiable desire or need for something.
  • The dictator had a vampire's thirst for power.
• Like a vampire avoiding sunlight: Used to describe someone shunning or being harmed by a particular thing.
  • He avoids responsibility like a vampire avoids sunlight.

Noun

1. (folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living