undead
Undead (adjective) means neither fully alive nor truly dead — animated despite being a corpse, as in folklore and fiction. Example: “The film is full of undead creatures rising from their graves.”
How to Use Undead
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA creature that's dead but somehow still moving and acting alive — think vampires and zombies.
Word Forms
undead plural, undeads plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The film is full of _____ creatures rising from their graves.
Etymology
From Middle English undede, un- + dead, first recorded around 1400. The word's spooky, supernatural sense was popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897).
Rhymes for undead
See all rhymes for undead →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “undead” mean?
The word “undead” means neither fully alive nor truly dead — animated despite being a corpse, as in folklore and fiction. In plain terms, a creature that's dead but somehow still moving and acting alive — think vampires and zombies.
How do you pronounce “undead”?
“Undead” is pronounced uhn-DEHD (/ʌnˈdɛd/ in IPA).
How do you use “undead” in a sentence?
Here is “undead” used in a sentence: “The film is full of undead creatures rising from their graves.”
What part of speech is “undead”?
Depending on how it is used, “undead” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “undead” come from?
The word “undead” dates back to around 1400 and comes from Middle English. From Middle English undede, un- + dead, first recorded around 1400. The word's spooky, supernatural sense was popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897).
Is “undead” a common word?
“Undead” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undead” have?
“Undead” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: neither fully alive nor truly dead — animated despite being a corpse, as in folklore and fiction.