vamps
|vamps|
/væmps/
(vamp)
upper part; seduction; improvise
Etymology
'vamp' (sense 'seductive woman') originates from English slang in the early 20th century, specifically a shortening of 'vampire' (from French 'vampire'), where the root referred to the folkloric 'vampire' creature.
'vamp' (shoe-part sense) comes from Middle English/early modern English use meaning a piece of leather for the front of a shoe; the slang 'vamp' meaning a seductive woman developed later as a clipping of 'vampire' in American popular culture (early 1900s) and was popularized in film and print.
Initially the root referred to the supernatural 'vampire'; over time one sense evolved into 'a woman who preys on men (figuratively)', while other, unrelated senses (shoe part; musical filler) retained the older material- or music-related meanings.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of vamp: a woman who uses her charm or sexual attractiveness to seduce or exploit others; a femme fatale (slang, dated).
The chorus featured several glamorous vamps who stole the scene.
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Noun 2
plural of vamp: a short, repeated musical figure or accompaniment used to fill time or support a solo (often used as a noun in jazz/pop contexts).
The band played a few vamps while the singer tuned her microphone.
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Noun 3
plural of vamp: the front upper part of a shoe or boot (the piece of material that covers the toes and instep).
The vamps of his boots were scuffed after months of hiking.
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Verb 1
third-person singular present of vamp: to improvise or repeat a short accompaniment or passage to fill time (music/theatre).
The pianist vamps until the singer returns to the stage.
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Verb 2
third-person singular present of vamp: to behave like a vamp; to try to seduce or manipulate someone using charm.
She vamps her way through the interview to get what she wants.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/09/08 11:57