vampire

/ˌvæmˈpaɪər/

/ˈvæmpaɪə/

Other forms: vampires

Although traditionally used to refer to the bloodsucking undead, you can use the noun vampire to describe someone who heartlessly preys on others — a blackmailer, or anyone else who just sucks the life out of you.

Vampire first appeared as a word in English in the early 1700’s, but folklore surrounding undead creatures that feed off of human blood has been around since the earliest times. Among many supposed abilities, vampires are sometimes believed to be able to take the form of a bat. The word vampire is also used to refer to non-mythical “vampire bats” which are native to the Americas and really do feed on blood.

Definitions of vampire

1. noun

   (folklore) a corpse that rises at night to drink the blood of the living
   synonyms: lamia

   type of:

   evil spirit

   a spirit tending to cause harm