vamp

/væmp/
noun
  1. The upper front part of a shoe or boot, covering the toes and instep.
    • She chose boots with a decorative stitch on the vamp.
    • The leather on the vamp of his shoe was scuffed from walking.
    • The cobbler replaced the worn vamp with new material.
  2. A short, simple musical passage repeated or improvised, often as an introduction or accompaniment.
    • He practiced a jazz vamp to warm up his fingers.
    • The band used a bluesy vamp to start the song.
    • The pianist played a gentle vamp while the singer walked on stage.
  3. A woman who uses her charm or attractiveness to seduce or manipulate men, especially in a theatrical or film role.
    • In the silent film, she played a vamp who lured the hero into trouble.
    • The actress was famous for her roles as a glamorous vamp.
    • He called her a vamp, but she was just being friendly.
verb
  1. To repair or replace the vamp of a shoe or boot.
    • She learned to vamp shoes as part of her cobbling course.
    • He vamped his favorite loafers instead of buying new ones.
    • The shoemaker vamped the old boots, making them look new.
  2. To improvise or create something, especially music or a performance, often in a lively or flashy way.
    • When she forgot her lines, she vamped until she remembered them.
    • The guitarist vamped a catchy riff while the drummer joined in.
    • The comedian vamped for a few minutes to fill the awkward silence.
  3. To seduce or flirt with someone in a bold or theatrical manner.
    • She vamped the audience with her confident smile and witty remarks.
    • In the play, the character vamps every man who walks by.
    • He tried to vamp her with cheesy pickup lines, but she wasn't interested.
What does "vamp" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean