Other

vamp1

Syllabification: (vamp)

Pronunciation: /vamp/

Translate vamp | into Italian

Definition of vamp

noun

1the upper front part of a boot or shoe.

2(in jazz and popular music) a short, simple introductory passage, usually repeated several times until otherwise instructed.

verb

1 [with object] attach a new upper to (a boot or shoe).
(vamp something up) informal repair or improve something:the production values have been vamped up

2 [no object] repeat a short, simple passage of music:the band was vamping gently behind his busy lead guitar

Origin:

Middle English (denoting the foot of a stocking): shortening of Old French avantpie, from avant 'before' + pie 'foot'. The musical sense of the verb developed from the general sense 'improvise'

vamp in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of vamp in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

More results for vamp

More words in this category

Subscriber login

Library card login