noun
vamp
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
1
The front part of a shoe or boot covering the toes and instep.
"The vamp of the boot was starting to crack with age."
2
A seductive woman who uses her charm to manipulate men.
"She played the classic film-noir vamp, all cigarette smoke and one-liners."
verb
1
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 notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: the front of a shoe, an improvised bit of music, or an old-fashioned term for a seductress.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like vamp.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- vamps
- Third person singular
- vamps
- Past tense
- vamped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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".
Synonyms
View more →
flirt
coquette
manufacture
revamp
fabricate
invent
enchantress
femme fatale
man-eater
mantrap
seductress
she-wolf
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for vamp
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.
