Undead: meaning, definitions and examples

This term generally refers to any creature that has died and been reanimated. It is a broad category that can include zombies, vampires, and other similar entities.

• In folklore, many different types of undead creatures can be found haunting cemeteries.
• The wizard’s spell brought an army of the undead to life.

A zombie is a reanimated corpse with a preference for human flesh, commonly found in horror films and media. It typically refers to a mindless, walking corpse.

• The apocalypse was marked by hordes of zombies roaming the streets, hungry for flesh.
• She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw a zombie staggering toward her.

Ghouls are often depicted in literature and folklore as graveyard-dwelling creatures that feed on the dead. They are often associated with horror and the macabre.

• The graveyard was rumored to be haunted by ghouls that feasted on the bodies of the recently deceased.
• In the scary story, the children were chased by a ghoul that emerged from the cemetery.

A specter is a type of ghost or apparition, often seen as a harbinger of doom or a manifestation of something eerie. It is used in a more ghostly and ominous context.

• The old mansion was said to be haunted by a specter that appeared every midnight.
• He spoke of seeing a specter in the hallway, a shadowy figure that sent chills down his spine.

Used to describe beings that are animated after death, including zombies, vampires, and other creatures. Commonly found in horror, fantasy, and supernatural genres.

• The villagers lived in fear of the undead rising from the graveyard
• The movie features a terrifying army of the undead

Describes the state of being turned into a zombie, or acting in a mindless, robotic manner. Often used in a negative context when referring to people acting mechanically or without conscious thought.

• The virus left the entire town zombified
• After hours of meetings, he felt completely zombified

Often used to describe something that has a disturbing, morbid, or gruesome quality. It can also refer to creatures or behavior associated with ghouls, beings that consume the flesh of the dead. Has a negative connotation.

• The ghoulish legend of the cemetery kept children away at night
• Her fascination with the dark and ghoulish was unsettling

Typically used to describe ghostly or ethereal appearances. It evokes the image of something insubstantial and eerie, like a ghost or phantom. Commonly used in literature and discussions about paranormal phenomena.

• A spectral figure appeared at the end of the hallway
• The old castle was said to be haunted by spectral apparitions