Slang For Zombie (35 Examples!)

Zombies. You know them, those shambling, groaning creatures that just won’t stay down.

They’ve crashed into our pop culture scene and refuse to leave, not that we’re complaining.

From ‘The Walking Dead’ to ‘World War Z,’ these undead stars have earned themselves a bunch of nicknames, some funny, some downright weird.

In this little journey, we’re going to check out the slang we’ve cooked up for zombies.

It’s like a linguistic buffet of the undead. So, grab your survival gear and let’s dive into the world of zombie slang – no bites, we promise!

Slang For Zombie

Biter

A term for zombies that highlights their tendency to bite and infect others. ‘Biter’ is often used in scenarios where zombies are known for spreading infection through their bites.

Example in a sentence: “Stay back! That biter’s getting too close for comfort.”

Bone Muncher

A gruesomely descriptive term for zombies, emphasizing their cannibalistic nature. ‘Bone Muncher’ is used to convey the horror and disgust associated with these creatures.

Example in a sentence: “The cellar was filled with bone munchers, gnawing on their latest catch.”

Brain-Eater

This classic term is synonymous with zombies, stemming from the popular notion that they consume human brains. ‘Brain-Eater’ is a staple in zombie lore and media.

Example in a sentence: “The movie featured a horde of brain-eaters invading the city.”

Cadaver

A more clinical term for zombies, ‘Cadaver’ refers to their status as walking corpses. It’s often used in contexts where zombies are seen as former humans.

Example in a sentence: “The streets were littered with cadavers, aimlessly wandering.”

Corpse

Similar to ‘Cadaver,’ this term underscores the undead nature of zombies. ‘Corpse’ is used to describe zombies in a more straightforward, albeit macabre, manner.

Example in a sentence: “We could see a corpse shuffling in the distance, its movements slow and erratic.”

Crawler

Refers to zombies that have lost the ability to walk and now move on all fours. ‘Crawler’ highlights their diminished state and often increased creepiness.

Example in a sentence: “Watch out for that crawler hiding under the car.”

Creeper

A term for zombies that move silently and can surprise their victims. ‘Creeper’ is used to describe zombies that are more stealthy and less overtly aggressive.

Example in a sentence: “There’s a creeper in the shadows, moving closer without a sound.”

Dead One

A straightforward term for zombies, emphasizing their status as deceased beings. ‘Dead One’ is a more neutral term, often used in various types of zombie narratives.

Example in a sentence: “A dead one is blocking the path to the safe house.”

Dead Walker

Combines the aspects of being deceased and mobile. ‘Dead Walker’ is a term that encapsulates the basic nature of zombies as walking dead.

Example in a sentence: “The dead walkers roamed the streets, searching for the living.”

Deadite

Popularized by certain horror films and shows, ‘Deadite’ refers to a malevolent, undead creature. It’s often used for zombies that are more demonic or possessed in nature.

Example in a sentence: “We need to be careful; this place is swarming with deadites.”

Decayed

A term that describes zombies in reference to their decomposing bodies. ‘Decayed’ emphasizes the grotesque, deteriorating state of the undead.

Example in a sentence: “The decayed figures were barely recognizable as once being human.”

Dreadnought

Often used to describe particularly large and intimidating zombies. ‘Dreadnought’ conveys a sense of formidable strength and resilience.

Example in a sentence: “A dreadnought of a zombie was blocking our only escape route.”

Drifter

Refers to zombies that wander aimlessly, often used to describe those seen wandering in rural or less populated areas. ‘Drifter’ captures their aimless, wandering nature.

Example in a sentence: “We spotted a few drifters on the outskirts of town.”

Geek

In some zombie narratives, ‘geek’ is used to describe zombies, possibly deriving from an older slang term for a carnival performer who performed grotesque acts.

Example in a sentence: “The area was crawling with geeks, attracted by the noise.”

Ghoul

While traditionally referring to a different type of mythological monster, ‘ghoul’ is often used interchangeably with zombies, especially in contexts emphasizing their horror and revulsion aspects.

Example in a sentence: “Ghouls have overrun the cemetery, making it dangerous to pass through.”

Goner

A slang term for someone who has been bitten or is otherwise doomed to become a zombie. ‘Goner’ implies an inevitable transformation or demise.

Example in a sentence: “Once bitten, he knew he was a goner.”

Groaner

Describes zombies based on the characteristic groaning sounds they make. ‘Groaner’ is often used in scenarios where zombies are depicted as vocal but inarticulate.

Example in a sentence: “The night was filled with the eerie sounds of groaners.”

Infected

A term used particularly in zombie narratives where the condition is caused by a virus or pathogen. ‘Infected’ refers to both those who have turned into zombies and those in the process of turning.

Example in a sentence: “The infected are more aggressive than your typical zombies.”

Lurker

Refers to zombies that lie in wait or remain motionless until disturbed. ‘Lurker’ is used for zombies that ambush their prey or are found hiding in unexpected places.

Example in a sentence: “Be careful opening that door; there could be a lurker behind it.”

Moaner

Similar to ‘Groaner,’ this term is used for zombies that are characterized by their moaning sounds. ‘Moaner’ adds an eerie, unsettling aspect to their presence.

Example in a sentence: “You can hear the moaners outside, searching for their next victim.”

Necro

A short form of ‘necrotic’ or ‘necromantic,’ used to describe zombies in relation to their state of death and decay. ‘Necro’ emphasizes the undead and decaying nature of zombies.

Example in a sentence: “The necros are closing in; we need to fortify our shelter.”

Ragger

A term for zombies that appear particularly ragged and tattered, often used to describe those in an advanced state of decomposition. ‘Ragger’ highlights their worn and deteriorating appearance.

Example in a sentence: “Watch out for that ragger; it’s almost falling apart but still dangerous.”

Revenant

Traditionally a term for a visible ghost or animated corpse, ‘revenant’ is sometimes used to describe zombies, especially in contexts that emphasize their return from death.

Example in a sentence: “The revenants roamed the old battlefield, a chilling sight to behold.”

Roamer

Describes zombies that actively wander or roam, as opposed to lying in wait. ‘Roamer’ is used for zombies that are more mobile and seemingly purposeful in their movements.

Example in a sentence: “We’ve got a group of roamers heading towards the east side of camp.”

Rotten

A straightforward term that refers to the decomposed state of zombies. ‘Rotten’ is often used to convey both their physical state and the revulsion they inspire.

Example in a sentence: “The rotten ones are the worst; they’re falling apart but still keep coming.”

Shambler

Refers to zombies that move with a slow, shuffling gait. ‘Shambler’ is a classic term used in many zombie narratives to describe their typical mode of movement.

Example in a sentence: “The shamblers might be slow, but they’re relentless.”

Skin-Eater

A gruesome term for zombies, highlighting their cannibalistic nature. ‘Skin-Eater’ is used to evoke the horror and disgust associated with these creatures.

Example in a sentence: “The skin-eaters have overrun the lower part of the city.”

Sloucher

Describes zombies that have a slouched, hunched posture. ‘Sloucher’ is often used for zombies that are not only slow but also appear weary or burdened.

Example in a sentence: “That sloucher over there looks like it could collapse at any moment.”

Stagger

A term for zombies that move with an unsteady, staggering walk. ‘Stagger’ emphasizes the uncoordinated and clumsy movement often associated with zombies.

Example in a sentence: “The staggers are easy to outrun, but they can sneak up on you.”

Stumbler

Similar to ‘Stagger,’ this term is used for zombies that are prone to stumbling in their movements. ‘Stumbler’ suggests a lack of motor control and coordination.

Example in a sentence: “Be careful around that stumbler; it’s unpredictable.”

Undead

A classic term for zombies, referring to their state of being neither alive nor traditionally dead. ‘Undead’ is a widely used term in various forms of zombie fiction and lore.

Example in a sentence: “The undead have become a common threat in these parts.”

Walker

One of the most commonly used terms for zombies, popularized by modern media. ‘Walker’ refers to their walking, albeit lifeless, state.

Example in a sentence: “There’s a group of walkers blocking the road ahead.”

Wight

Originally a term for a ghost or supernatural being, ‘wight’ is sometimes used in fantasy contexts to describe zombie-like creatures.

Example in a sentence: “The ancient tomb was guarded by wights, cursed to eternal unrest.”

Zed

A slang term for zombies, derived from the pronunciation of the letter ‘Z,’ often used in British English. ‘Zed’ is a shorthand way of referring to zombies.

Example in a sentence: “We’ve got a couple of zeds wandering near the perimeter.”

Zom

A casual, abbreviated term for zombies. ‘Zom’ is often used in informal settings or in media seeking a more modern or youthful approach to the zombie genre.

Example in a sentence: “Watch out, there’s a zom behind you!”

And there you have it – a tour through the gruesomely creative world of zombie slang.

From ‘Walkers’ to ‘Zoms,’ these terms do more than just describe the undead; they paint a picture of our collective fascination and fear of these fictional creatures.

Each slang word carries its own flavor, adding to the rich tapestry of zombie lore that has captivated us in movies, books, and shows.

Whether you’re a hardcore zombie fan or just enjoy a good horror flick, these terms are a testament to the endless imagination we apply to the things that scare us.

So next time you’re watching a zombie apocalypse unfold on screen, you’ll have a whole new vocabulary to describe the shambling hordes.

Founder - @PollyWebster

Polly Webster is the founder of Foreign Lingo and a seasoned traveler with a decade of exploration under her belt.

Over the past 10 years, she has journeyed to numerous countries around the globe, immersing herself in diverse cultures, traditions, and languages.

Drawing from her rich experiences, Polly now writes insightful articles about travel, languages, traditions, and cultures, sharing her unique perspectives and invaluable tips with her readers.

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