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vamp

/væmp/

/væmp/

Other forms: vamps; vamped; vamping

A vamp is an attractive, dangerously flirtatious woman. A vamp in an old movie might wear tight clothes and bright red lipstick.

The noun vamp is somewhat old fashioned, implying a woman who uses her charisma and beauty to charm men into doing what she wants them to do. You can also use it as a verb, meaning to tease or flirt, especially in a showy and manipulative way. The word came into use in the early 1900's, from vampire. Some experts connect the first use of vamp with the role of "The Vampire" in the 1915 movie "A Fool There Was."

Definitions of vamp
  1. noun
    piece of leather forming the front part of the upper of a shoe
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    type of:
    piece of leather
    a separate part consisting of leather
  2. verb
    piece (something old) with a new part
    vamp up an old speech”
    synonyms: vamp up
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    type of:
    patch, piece
    to join or unite the pieces of
  3. verb
    provide (a shoe) with a new vamp
    synonyms: revamp
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    type of:
    bushel, doctor, fix, furbish up, mend, repair, restore, touch on
    restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
  4. noun
    a seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men
    synonyms: coquette, flirt, minx, tease, vamper
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    type of:
    adult female, woman
    an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
  5. verb
    act seductively with (someone)
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    type of:
    butterfly, chat up, coquet, coquette, dally, flirt, mash, philander, romance
    talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
  6. noun
    an improvised musical accompaniment
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    type of:
    accompaniment, backup, musical accompaniment, support
    a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts
  7. verb
    make up
    vamp up an excuse for not attending the meeting”
    synonyms: vamp up
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    type of:
    cook up, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture
    make up something artificial or untrue
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘vamp'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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