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

Example Sentences

Windows on vacant buildings were scratched by vandals.

From Los Angeles Times

"Stopping our work would have affected the condition of the monument, leaving it unattended and deteriorating due to natural causes and exposed to vandals and looters," he argued.

From BBC

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

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

Mystery vandals have caused almost £40,000 worth of damage to the machines by covering them in glue – weeks before they have had the chance to collect a single charge.

From BBC