vamp

1
[ vamp ]
See synonyms for vamp on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. the portion of a shoe or boot upper that covers the instep and toes.

  2. something patched up or pieced together.

  1. Jazz. an accompaniment, usually improvised, consisting of a succession of simple chords.

verb (used with object)
  1. to furnish with a vamp, especially to repair (a shoe or boot) with a new vamp.

  2. to patch up; repair.

  1. to give (something) a new appearance by adding a patch or piece.

  2. to concoct or invent (often followed by up): He vamped up a few ugly rumors to discredit his enemies.

  3. Jazz. to improvise (an accompaniment or the like).

verb (used without object)
  1. Jazz. to improvise an accompaniment, tune, etc.

Origin of vamp

1
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English va(u)mpe, wamp(e), from Anglo-French; Middle French avant-pie, equivalent to avant- “fore-” + pie “foot” (French pied); see avaunt, -ped

Other words from vamp

  • vamper, noun
  • vampish, adjective

Other definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

vamp2
[ vamp ]

noun
  1. a seductive woman who uses her sensuality to exploit men.

verb (used with object)
  1. to use feminine charms upon; seduce.

verb (used without object)
  1. to act as a vamp.

Origin of vamp

2
First recorded in 1905–10; short for vampire

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (1 of 2)

vamp1

/ (væmp) informal /


noun
  1. a seductive woman who exploits men by use of her sexual charms

verb
  1. to exploit (a man) in the fashion of a vamp

Origin of vamp

1
C20: short for vampire

Derived forms of vamp

  • vamper, noun
  • vampish, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for vamp (2 of 2)

vamp2

/ (væmp) /


noun
  1. something patched up to make it look new

  2. the reworking of a theme, story, etc

  1. an improvised accompaniment, consisting largely of chords

  2. the front part of the upper of a shoe

verb
  1. (tr often foll by up) to give a vamp to; make a renovation of

  2. to improvise (an accompaniment) to (a tune)

Origin of vamp

2
C13: from Old French avantpié the front part of a shoe (hence, something patched), from avant- fore- + pié foot, from Latin pēs

Derived forms of vamp

  • vamper, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012