noun
Nosferatu
nos-fuh-RAH-too
Nosferatu (noun) means a vampire, especially as depicted in gothic horror fiction and film. Example: “The old castle looked like something straight out of a nosferatu story.”
noun
1
A vampire, especially as depicted in gothic horror fiction and film.
"The old castle looked like something straight out of a nosferatu story."
How to use Nosferatu
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dramatic, old-fashioned word for a vampire, evoking the classic silent horror film.
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Word forms
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The old castle looked like something straight out of a _____ story.
Etymology
Popularized by Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula and F. W. Murnau's 1922 silent film Nosferatu; the word is thought to come from an old Romanian term for a vampire or evil spirit.
Class of 1897
Nosferatu joined the language around 1897.
See the full Class of 1897 →
Frequently asked questions
What does “Nosferatu” mean?
The word “Nosferatu” means a vampire, especially as depicted in gothic horror fiction and film. In plain terms, a dramatic, old-fashioned word for a vampire, evoking the classic silent horror film.
How do you pronounce “Nosferatu”?
“Nosferatu” is pronounced nos-fuh-RAH-too (/ˌnɒsfəˈɹɑːtuː/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nosferatu” in a sentence?
Here is “Nosferatu” used in a sentence: “The old castle looked like something straight out of a nosferatu story.”
What part of speech is “Nosferatu”?
“Nosferatu” is a noun.
Where does the word “Nosferatu” come from?
The word “Nosferatu” dates back to around 1897 and comes from Romanian. Popularized by Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula and F. W. Murnau's 1922 silent film Nosferatu; the word is thought to come from an old Romanian term for a vampire or evil spirit.
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