undead

American  

[uhn-ded] / ˌʌnˈdɛd /

adjective

1. no longer alive but animated by a supernatural force, as a vampire or zombie.

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noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. undead beings collectively.

undead British  

/ ʌnˈdɛd /

adjective

1. 1. (of a fictional being, such as a vampire) technically dead but reanimated

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the undead

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Etymology

Origin of undead

First recorded in 1895–1900; un- ¹ ( def. ) + dead ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

undead

But for a musical about the undead, it’s refreshingly human.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 5, 2026

Leigh Price, 51, from Builth Wells, said he was not prepping for hordes of the undead roaming the landscape, as many might assume, but for much more real threats.

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2026

Thanks to the two stars’ efforts, a franchise that was once merely undead is now thrillingly alive.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 15, 2026

The Rice tactic is to make the undead sympathetic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2025

Clare’s undead heart galloped, his mottled fur whipping in the All Hallows’ Eve winds.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman