noun

vamp

Vamp (noun) means the front part of a shoe or boot covering the toes and instep. Example: “The vamp of the boot was starting to crack with age.”

noun

The front part of a shoe or boot covering the toes and instep.

"The vamp of the boot was starting to crack with age."

A seductive woman who uses her charm to manipulate men.

"She played the classic film-noir vamp, all cigarette smoke and one-liners."

verb

To improvise or throw something together, often to fill time (often "vamp up").

"The band vamped for a few extra bars while the singer found her mic."

How to use vamp

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDepending on context: the front of a shoe, an improvised bit of music, or an old-fashioned term for a seductress.

Word forms

vamped past tense, vamped past tense, vamps plural, vamps plural, vamps plural, vamps singular, vamps singular

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The _____ of the boot was starting to crack with age.

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman vampe, referring to the part of a stocking covering the top of the foot; the "seductive woman" sense developed later, likely shortened from "vampire".

Origin: Anglo-Norman

Synonyms

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enchantress femme fatale man-eater mantrap seductress she-wolf siren temptress vixen wolfess

Antonyms

girl next door ingenue Casanova promiscuous man rake

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Rhymes for vamp

amp damp camp lamp ramp kamp tramp stamp champ swamp cramp clamp

See all rhymes for vamp →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vamp” mean?

The word “vamp” means the front part of a shoe or boot covering the toes and instep. In plain terms, depending on context: the front of a shoe, an improvised bit of music, or an old-fashioned term for a seductress.

How do you pronounce “vamp”?

“Vamp” is pronounced vamp (/væmp/ in IPA).

How do you use “vamp” in a sentence?

Here is “vamp” used in a sentence: “The vamp of the boot was starting to crack with age.”

What is another word for “vamp”?

Words with a similar meaning to “vamp” include enchantress, femme fatale, man-eater, mantrap, seductress and she-wolf.

What is the opposite of “vamp”?

The opposite of “vamp” — its antonyms — are girl next door, ingenue, Casanova, promiscuous man and rake.

What part of speech is “vamp”?

Depending on how it is used, “vamp” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “vamp” come from?

The word “vamp” comes from Anglo-Norman. From Anglo-Norman vampe, referring to the part of a stocking covering the top of the foot; the "seductive woman" sense developed later, likely shortened from "vampire".

How many meanings does “vamp” have?

“Vamp” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the front part of a shoe or boot covering the toes and instep.

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