vamp
/væmp/ (bre, ipa) · [vˈæmp] /væmp/ (ame, ipa) · [vˈæmp] /ˈvamp How to pronounce vamp (audio)/ (ame, mw)
vamp — noun
- vampsingular
- vampsplural
1. a female character, especially in older films and novels, who employs her good l
a female character, especially in older films and novels, who employs her good looks and charm to manipulate or take advantage of people — typically men — for her own benefit.
In the old black-and-white movie, the actress played a vamp who tricked a wealthy businessman.
collocation: play a vamp
Critics described the character as a classic vamp, using her charm to get whatever she wanted.
Sofia’s grandmother used to call glamorous actresses on the screen ‘vamps’.
The novel’s main character was not a helpless maiden but a clever vamp who controlled every situation.
- seductress
more formal and literary, with stronger sexual emphasis
- femme fatale
borrowed from French; suggests danger and mystery more than exploitation
用法筆記
This sense is dated and carries a negative judgment about a woman’s character. Modern English prefers more neutral terms like ‘confident’ or ‘assertive’.
常見錯誤
2. a short musical phrase or chord sequence that is played over and over again, typ
a short musical phrase or chord sequence that is played over and over again, typically used as an introduction before a soloist or singer begins, or as background for improvisation.
The pianist played a gentle vamp while the singer walked onto the stage.
collocation: play a vamp
When the drummer lost his place, the bass player kept a steady vamp going until everyone found the beat again.
keeps the beat going with a vamp
Niran asked the keyboardist to give him a two-bar vamp so he could tune his guitar.
During the rehearsal, the band repeated a simple vamp for three minutes while the sound engineer adjusted the microphones.
用法筆記
Common in jazz, blues, and pop music. Musicians often say ‘vamp until ready’ as a cue to keep repeating the phrase until a soloist joins in.
3. the front top section of a shoe or boot that covers the area between the toes an
the front top section of a shoe or boot that covers the area between the toes and the part where the laces begin.
The cobbler carefully replaced the worn vamp of the old leather boot with a fresh piece.
shoemaking context: vamp of a boot
Yuki chose a pair of ballet flats because the soft vamp did not rub against her toes.
A tear in the vamp of his running shoe let water in every time he stepped on a puddle.
The shoemaker explained that a high vamp can make a shoe feel tighter across the top of the foot.
用法筆記
A specialist term used by shoemakers, cobblers, and in the shoe retail industry. General readers may not know it.
4. a short, informal way to refer to a vampire — in legends and fiction, an undead
a short, informal way to refer to a vampire — in legends and fiction, an undead creature that leaves its grave at night to feed on the blood of the living.
The children dared each other to walk past the old house where the ‘vamp’ was supposed to live.
informal shortening: ‘vamp’ for ‘vampire’
Kwame’s Halloween costume was a classic vamp with a black cape and fake fangs.
In the comic book, the hero fought a group of vamps that hid in the subway tunnels.
Talia prefers the old legends where a vamp could be kept away with garlic and a wooden stake.
用法筆記
Used mainly in casual conversation, fan communities, and informal writing about horror or fantasy. In formal contexts, ‘vampire’ is always preferred.
常見錯誤
vamp — verb
- vamppresent simple I / you / we / they
- vamps3rd person singular
- vamping-ing form
- vampedpast simple
1. to behave in a deliberately attractive or flirtatious way toward someone in orde
to behave in a deliberately attractive or flirtatious way toward someone in order to influence or take advantage of them.
In the play, the villain tries to vamp the hero’s fiancée into giving away family secrets.
vamp + object + into + -ing (pattern)
The silent-film star became famous for vamping the male leads with a single glance.
historical film context
Aoi rolled her eyes when she saw her friend vamping the tourist for a free dinner.
Léa joked that she could vamp the bouncer to get into the VIP lounge.
文法句型
vamp + object
用法筆記
Old-fashioned and often humorous or theatrical in modern use. The straightforward synonym ‘seduce’ is more common today.
2. to play a short musical phrase over and over, typically while waiting for anothe
to play a short musical phrase over and over, typically while waiting for another musician to join in or for a section to begin.
The guitarist told the band to vamp on the chord progression until he gave them the signal.
vamp on + chord progression
While the saxophonist fixed his reed, the rhythm section vamped quietly to keep the energy going.
Jude learned to vamp over a simple blues pattern during his first jazz lesson.
The conductor wrote ‘vamp until ready’ at the top of the score so the musicians would know what to do.
文法句型
vamp on + noun
vamp until + clause
用法筆記
Standard instruction in musical scores and sheet music. ‘Vamp until ready’ is a fixed phrase in ensemble playing.
3. to speak on the spot with no plan, usually to keep an audience occupied while de
to speak on the spot with no plan, usually to keep an audience occupied while dealing with a delay or waiting for someone.
The speaker vamped for five minutes while the organizers fixed the broken microphone.
vamp for + time period
When the teleprompter stopped working, the news anchor had to vamp until the system came back online.
vamp until + event
Hannah vamped through the Q&A session because she had not actually read the report.
The comedian skillfully vamped for an extra ten minutes when the headliner was stuck in traffic.
- prepare
to plan and rehearse ahead of time
文法句型
vamp + for + time/duration
vamp until + clause
用法筆記
Often used in show business and public speaking. The speaker is aware they are filling time and the audience usually knows too.
4. to invent something, such as a story, excuse, or explanation, often quickly and
to invent something, such as a story, excuse, or explanation, often quickly and without much concern for accuracy.
Walid vamped up an excuse about a flat tyre when he forgot about the dinner party.
vamp up + excuse (fabricate an excuse)
She had not done her homework, so she vamped a story about her dog eating the notebook.
The journalist was fired for vamping up details in several of her news articles.
When Diya’s boss asked why the report was late, she vamped a quick reason on the spot.
文法句型
vamp + something + up
vamp up + noun
用法筆記
Often appears as the phrasal verb ‘vamp up’. More common alternatives include ‘make up’, ‘fabricate’, or ‘concoct’.