vandal

[ van-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.

adjective

1. (initial capital letter) of or relating to the Vandals.
2. imbued with or characterized by vandalism.

Vandal

¹

/ 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)

vandal

²

/ ˈvændəl /

noun

1. 1. a person who deliberately causes damage or destruction to personal or public property
   2. ( as modifier )

      vandal instincts

Derived Forms

• Vandalic, adjective
• ˈVandalˌism, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of vandal¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of vandal¹

C17: from Vandal , from Latin Vandallus, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

And now a Mediterranean villa on a hillside in genteel Bel-Air has become the latest target of mysterious graffiti vandals.

From Los Angeles Times

He explained that his private security and property managers at his properties were overwhelmed by trespassers and vandals.

From Los Angeles Times

But the graffiti led to an outpouring of anger, with the vandals branded as “mindless” and “absolutely disgusting”.

From BBC

The closure of the Instagram account is a further blow to the business which was forced to temporarily close in August after its premises on Birkdale Road was targeted by vandals.

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times