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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

• vandals
  plural

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

Derived Forms

• Vandalism
  noun
• Vandalic
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• vandals
  plural

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

See Examples For:

vandal Vandal vandals

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

His ability to freely make art without being punished as a vandal by authorities could be hampered now that he’s recognizable as Gunningham, or Jones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026

The tree-chopping vandal sparked great intrigue and outrage when residents spotted the wooden carnage on South Grand Avenue and other areas of city-owned property over the weekend.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 23, 2025

“You wouldn’t happen to be the same crackerjack lawman who fell asleep in his car while the vandal trashed our survey stakes, would you?”

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

The name of the memorial refers to the nickname given the school’s sports teams, “The Vandals,” and its mascot, Joe Vandal.

From Washington Times ● Dec. 15, 2023

Early next year, the family will travel to Australia for an eight-week solo exhibition starting on 15 January in Sydney's Vandal Gallery, which specialises in showcasing progressive art.

From BBC ● Oct. 1, 2023

The Vandal Health Clinic, named after the UI mascot, is currently run by a local hospital system, Gritman Medical Center.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 30, 2022

Branden Vandal, 25, sits in the Dodgers dugout a couple hours before a recent game stroking that goatee and counting his blessings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2021

He was a dark-faced man; his skin, perhaps from sun, was a black red, as though some Norse or perhaps Vandal blood was perpetuated in him.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

In this case, he blamed vandals for damaging the pool.

From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026

But the building has been vacant for years, damaged by fire and vandals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The new 6th Street Bridge, hailed as a civic landmark just steps away, was promptly stripped of its wiring by vandals and now sits pitch black at night.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Soon after completion of the work, the coating began to peel off and algae turned the pool's water a mucky green -- setbacks the president has blamed on vandals, without providing evidence.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

Since the police chief was getting pressure to stop the incidents, Officer Delinko knew that catching the vandals would be a feather in his cap—and possibly the first step toward a promotion.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen