<p><strong>Noun:</strong></p><ul><li>the portion of a shoe or boot upper that covers the instep and toes.</li><li>something patched up or pieced together.</li><li>Jazz: an accompaniment, usually improvised, consisting of a succession of simple chords.</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used with object):</strong></p><ul><li>to furnish with a vamp, especially to repair (a shoe or boot) with a new vamp.</li><li>to patch up; repair.</li><li>to give (something) a new appearance by adding a patch or piece.</li><li>to concoct or invent (often followed by up): He vamped up a few ugly rumors to discredit his enemies.</li><li>Jazz: to improvise (an accompaniment or the like).</li></ul><p><strong>Verb (used without object):</strong></p><ul><li>Jazz: to improvise an accompaniment, tune, etc.</li></ul>