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• vandal
  vandal

  noun

  a member of a Germanic people who in the 5th century a.d. ravaged Gaul and Spain, settled in Africa, and in a.d. 455 sacked Rome.
• Vandal
  Vandal

  noun

  a member of a Germanic people that raided Roman provinces in the 3rd and 4th centuries _ad before devastating Gaul (406–409), conquering Spain and N Africa, and sacking Rome (455): crushed by Belisarius at Carthage (533)

vandal

American  

[van-dl] / ˈvæn dl /

noun

1. (initial capital letter) a member of a Germanic people who in the 5th century a.d. ravaged Gaul and Spain, settled in Africa, and in a.d. 455 sacked Rome.

2. a person who willfully or ignorantly destroys or mars something beautiful or valuable.

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adjective

1. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Vandals.

2. imbued with or characterized by vandalism.

vandal ¹ British  

/ ˈvændəl /

noun

1. 1. a person who deliberately causes damage or destruction to personal or public property

   2. ( as modifier )

      vandal instincts

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Vandal ² British  

/ ˈvændəl, vænˈdælɪk /

noun

1. a member of a Germanic people that raided Roman provinces in the 3rd and 4th centuries _ad before devastating Gaul (406–409), conquering Spain and N Africa, and sacking Rome (455): crushed by Belisarius at Carthage (533)

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Other Word Forms

• Vandalic
  adjective
• Vandalism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of vandal

First recorded in 1545–55, vandal is from the Late Latin word Vandalus, Latinized tribal name

Explanation

A vandal is someone who harms or destroys other people's property. Someone who paints graffiti on your door is a vandal. Vandalizing is the damaging of someone else's possessions or property. A person who vandalizes is a vandal. A vandal doesn't steal, but they reduce the value of what someone owns by harming it. Vandals slash tires and key cars. Vandals paint on buildings. Vandals break windows. A vandal might have a grudge against a particular person, or sometimes teenagers become vandals out of boredom. The worst kind of vandal might be the kind who desecrates tombstones.

Example Sentences

And yet here comes Simon Armitage, the poet laureate of the U.K., with his stunning new verse translation, not as a vandal of antiquity but as a lucid accomplice to its endurance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Often described as "elusive" and "secretive" by the press, the "guerrilla street artist" is a hero to some and a vandal to others.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

For nearly a decade, authorities say, an unknown vandal shattered windows and windshields on North Enid Avenue in Azusa.

From Los Angeles Times • May 25, 2024

“The vandal who damaged Flaco’s exhibit jeopardized the safety of the bird and is ultimately responsible for his death,” the statement said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Dana Matherson’s reaction to the harmless toy convinced the patrolman that he couldn’t possibly be the Mother Paula’s vandal.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen