vampires
vampires — noun
- vampiressingular
- vampiresesplural
1. In folklore and horror fiction, a dead body that leaves its grave after dark and
In folklore and horror fiction, a dead body that leaves its grave after dark and drinks the blood of living people to survive.
Caleb watched an old horror film about vampires that attack a small village in Transylvania.
collocation: vampire + attack a village
Kemi's little brother wore a vampire costume for Halloween, with plastic fangs and a black cape.
In the old legend, a vampire could not enter a home unless someone inside invited it in.
Many old European towns tell stories of vampires that rose from local cemeteries at midnight.
In the novel, the vampire sleeps in a wooden coffin by day and hunts only after sunset.
- bloodsucker
less formal; often used as an insult rather than to describe the mythical creature
- undead
broader category that includes vampires, zombies, and ghosts
文法句型
vampire + verb (attack, bite, rise)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the plural (vampires) when referring to the creatures as a type or species.
常見錯誤
2. Someone who takes advantage of other people by using up their money, time, or en
Someone who takes advantage of other people by using up their money, time, or energy without giving anything useful back.
Bao called his landlord a vampire because she raised the rent but never fixed the broken heater.
metaphorical use: like a vampire draining resources
The online streaming service was called a corporate vampire for charging customers hidden fees on every transaction.
After months of unpaid overtime, Anthony realised his boss was an energy vampire who fed on his time.
Those payday loan companies are vampires that prey on people who are already struggling to pay their bills.
Paloma stopped volunteering when she saw the chairperson was a vampire who stole other people's ideas.
- parasite
more general; describes anyone who lives off others without contributing
- bloodsucker
informal; stronger negative emotional tone
- predator
focuses on the harm done to victims, not the benefit taken
- benefactor
someone who gives help or money generously
文法句型
vampire + of + noun
用法筆記
Used as a critical metaphor; the subject is commonly a manager, employer, landlord, or large company.
常見錯誤
vampires — adjective
- vampirespositive
- more vampirescomparative
- most vampiressuperlative
1. Relating to or featuring vampires, as found in stories, films, television shows,
Relating to or featuring vampires, as found in stories, films, television shows, or other works of fiction.
Erik lent me a vampire novel set in Tokyo, where the creatures hide among ordinary office workers.
vampire + noun (novel, film, series)
The vampire movie won an award for its amazing makeup and the dark, foggy castle set.
Hoa's favourite vampire series is about a family trying to live peacefully among humans.
Tourists visit that Romanian castle every year because of its connection to vampire folklore from the region.
文法句型
vampire + noun
用法筆記
This adjective form is always used before a noun (attributive) and cannot follow a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems'.
2. Describing an electrical device or appliance that uses a small amount of electri
Describing an electrical device or appliance that uses a small amount of electricity even when turned off, or describing the energy wasted in this way.
Devika unplugs her laptop charger every morning to reduce vampire power that wastes electricity overnight.
compound: vampire power / vampire energy
The guest room television is a vampire device that wastes about fifty dollars per year on standby power.
Felipe bought a power strip with a switch to cut off vampire energy from all his devices.
Older phone chargers are vampire appliances that keep drawing power even when nothing is plugged in.
- energy-efficient
describes devices that minimise power use
文法句型
vampire + noun (device, energy, power)
用法筆記
A relatively new meaning that has become more common with growing awareness of energy waste. The noun it modifies is usually related to electricity: power, energy, device, appliance, load.