adjective
Uncommon
undead
uhn-DEHD
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.”
adjective
1
Neither fully alive nor truly dead — animated despite being a corpse, as in folklore and fiction.
"The film is full of undead creatures rising from their graves."
noun
1
A being that is undead, such as a vampire or zombie.
"The game lets you play as one of the undead."
How to use undead
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA creature that's dead but somehow still moving and acting alive — think vampires and zombies.
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Word forms
- Plural
- undeads
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).
Class of 1400
undead joined the language around 1400.
See the full Class of 1400 →
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.
