vamp
vamp Lexical Profile
vamp Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A woman who uses her charm or sexual attractiveness to seduce and exploit men.
"In classic film noir, the actress frequently played a glamorous vamp who led the detective astray."
The upper front part of a boot or shoe that covers the instep and toes.
"The cobbler carefully stitched a replacement piece of leather onto the worn vamp of the riding boot."
A short, simple, repeated musical passage or accompaniment, typically improvised to fill time until a soloist or singer is ready.
"The pianist played a lively four-bar jazz vamp while the vocalist introduced the band members."
• verb
To improvise or repeat a short, simple musical accompaniment or chord progression while waiting for a soloist or performer.
"The band continued to vamp softly in the background until the lead actor remembered his cue."
To repair, patch, or refurbish something old to give it a new appearance (often used with 'up').
"They decided to vamp up the outdated community hall with fresh paint and modern lighting."
To allure, seduce, or exploit someone using charm or sexual attractiveness.
"In the play's second act, the villainess attempts to vamp the unsuspecting heir out of his fortune."
• Rhymes for vamp
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
In its footwear and musical senses, the word derives from Middle English 'vampe', shortened from Anglo-French 'avant-pie' (literally 'fore-foot', from Latin 'ante' and 'pes'). The sense referring to a seductive woman is an early 20th-century shortening of 'vampire', popularized by silent film characters.