zom-com, n.

zom-com
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zom-com_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
First published 2021

# zom-comnoun

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zom-com mean?

There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zom-com. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.

### How is the noun zom-com pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɒmkɒm/
ZOM-kom

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɑmˌkɑm/
ZAHM-kahm

### Where does the noun zom-com come from?

Earliest known use

2000s

The earliest known use of the noun zom-com is in the 2000s.

OED's earliest evidence for zom-com is from 2004, in Campaign.

zom-com is formed within English, by compounding.

Etymons: zombie n., comedy n.1

### Nearby entries

1. zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–
2. zombied, adj. 1972–
3. zombie-esque, adj. 1946–
4. zombie-like, adj. & adv. 1932–
5. zombie worm, n. 2005–
6. zombification, n. 1968–
7. zombified, adj. 1965–
8. zombify, v. 1950–
9. zombocalypse, n. 2007–
10. zomboid, adj. 1963–
11. zom-com, n.2004–
12. zomotherapeutic, adj. 1900–
13. zomotherapy, n. 1900–
14. zona, n. 1706–
15. zona ignea, n. 1818–
16. zonal, adj. 1867–
17. zonality, n. 1909–
18. zonally, adv. 1873–
19. zonal marking, n. 1958–
20. zona pellucida, n. 1841–
21. zona radiata, n. 1881–

## Etymology

### Summary

Formed within English, by compounding.
Etymons: zombie n., comedy n.1
< zom- (in zombie n.) + com- (in comedy n.1), after romcom n.

## Meaning & use

1. 2004–
   A comedy film featuring zombie characters.
   1. 2004

      > Two zombie films released within weeks of each other... We'd call them zom coms but unfortunately the US offering..forgot to add in the humour.

      Campaign 2 April 10/1
   2. 2019

      > Anna And The Apocalypse..[is] an irresistible recent addition to the Christmas movie canon... Even with the recent oversaturation of zom-coms, this one finds a very specific niche and absolutely dominates it.

      Newstex Blogs (Nexis) 23 December
   film
   1. romantic comedy 1748–
      (Originally) a comedy having qualities associated with a literary romance (cf. romantic, adj. A.1a); (subsequently also) a film or other work…
   2. epic 1785–
      A book, film, or other creative work resembling or likened to a traditional epic, esp. in portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an…
   3. dramatization 1796–
      A dramatized version of a literary work. Also: a play, film, etc., that takes an actual event or situation as its subject.
   4. pre-release 1871–
      A release in advance; esp. a film, record, etc., given restricted availability before being generally released.
   5. war 1897–
      As a modifier designating literary or artistic works relating to war, or their creators, as in war ballad, war book, war epic, war film, war history…
   6. foreign film 1899–
      A film produced in a foreign country, now esp. one that requires the addition of subtitles or dubbing; a foreign-language film (also used as a…
   7. frivol 1903–
      Something frivolous, (an instance of) frivolity; a frivolous or light-hearted event, etc. (esp. a literary or cinematographic production); also, a…
   8. dramedy 1905–
      A work of art exhibiting qualities of both drama and comedy. In later use: spec. a television programme or film in which the comedic elements are…
   9. film loop 1906–
      a. A slack length of film, forming a loop, necessary for the smooth running of a film strip in a projector; = loop, n.¹ 4i; b. a (short) film spliced…
   10. drama 1909–
       A television or radio programme, or a film, which tells a story by means of dialogue and action in a similar manner to a theatrical play, and…
   11. first run 1910–
       a. adj. Designating a film being shown for the first time or a cinema in which films are normally first shown; b. n. the first showing or première…
   12. detective film 1911–
   13. colour film 1912–
       A cinema film (or formerly a photograph) produced in natural colours.
   14. news film 1912–
   15. topical 1912–
       A film dealing with topical events. (Now disused.)
   16. cinemicrograph 1913–
       A moving image of a microscopic object, process, etc., typically obtained by means of time-lapse photography. Cf. cinemicrography, n.
   17. scenario production 1913–
       a. The production of film scripts or scenarios; b. = scenario picture, n. (now rare).
   18. scenic 1913–
       A film whose subject is natural scenery, or a series of photographs of natural scenery shown as a film; (more generally) a text, painting…
   19. sport 1913–
       A cinematographic film about sport. rare.
   20. newsreel 1914–
       A short cinema film dealing with news and current affairs. Also in extended use.
   21. serial 1914–
       A film drama shown in cinemas in sequential instalments. Cf. cliffhanger, n. Now historical.
   22. scenario picture 1915–
       A film for which a plot and storyline are created, as opposed to a documentary or factual film; also figurative.
   23. sex comedy 1915–
       A play, film, or television programme which combines erotic and comic elements, or whose plot centres on romantic relationships or sexual encounters.
   24. telefilm 1919–
       A film or motion picture, esp. one shown on television or one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema.
   25. comic 1920–
       A comic film, animation, or programme for cinema or television, esp. a cinematic short shown before the feature film.
   26. prequel 1922–
       A book, film, etc., narrating events which precede those of an already existing work.
   27. true crime 1923–
       A genre of writing, film, etc., in which real crimes are examined or portrayed; cf. true, adj. A.II.4c; frequently (and in earliest use) attributive.
   28. art house 1925–
       A cinema which specializes in films of artistic rather than commercial appeal, esp. foreign, experimental, or independent films. Hence: this style…
   29. psychological thriller 1925–
       A novel, film, etc., in the thriller genre which focuses on the psychology of its characters, or which psychologically manipulates its audience or…
   30. quickie 1926–
       A film or television programme that is made quickly and cheaply. Cf. quota quickie, n.
   31. turkey 1927–
       U.S. slang. An inferior or unsuccessful cinematographic or theatrical production, a flop; hence, anything disappointing or of little value.
   32. two-reeler 1928–
   33. cheapie 1929–
       A film (or occasionally a book) produced on a low budget (cf. cheapo, n. A.2b).
   34. smellie 1929–
       A (hypothetical) cinema or television film in which smell is synchronized with the picture. Usually plural. Cf. feelie, n.
   35. disaster film 1930–
       a. A factual film concerning a disaster (now rare); b. a film whose plot centres on a disaster, esp. one involving many people; such films as a…
   36. musical 1930–
       Originally U.S. A play or film in which singing and dancing play an essential part; a musical comedy.
   37. feelie 1931–
       A (hypothetical) motion picture augmented by tactile effects which are felt by the viewer. Chiefly in plural (frequently with the): the screening of…
   38. sticky 1934–
       A slow-moving film.
   39. action comedy 1936–
       A film or television programme which blends comedy with a lively plot and fast-paced action; cf. action film, n., situation comedy, n.
   40. quota quickie 1936–
       = quota film, n.
   41. re-release 1936–
       A recording or film that is re-released, esp. a recording that is released on a different format from before.
   42. screwball comedy 1937–
       a. A comedy film of a type first produced in the United States in the 1930s, with a fast-moving, irreverent style, typically featuring eccentric…
   43. story film 1937–
       A film that tells a story, esp. a fictional feature film.
   44. telemovie 1937–
       A film shown on television, esp. one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema; cf. telefilm, n. 1.
   45. disaster movie 1939–
       A film whose plot centres on a disaster, esp. one involving many people; such films as a genre.
   46. pickup 1939–
       Film (originally U.S.). A film, or film footage, which is made by one company and acquired (for distribution, etc.) by another.
   47. video film 1939–
       a. U.S. cinematographic film used to pre-record television programmes (rare); b. U.S. (now disused) a cinematographic film of a television broadcast…
   48. actioner 1940–
       colloquial. An action film.
   49. space opera 1941–
       A science fiction story or drama set in space; space fiction esp. of an unsophisticated or clichéd type.
   50. telepic 1944–
       A film shown on television, esp. one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema; cf. telefilm, n. 1.
   51. biopic 1947–
       A biographical film, esp. one dramatizing the life of a public or historical figure.
   52. kinescope 1949–
       A film recording made from a television broadcast.
   53. TV movie 1949–
       a. A film recording of a television broadcast (now disused); b. a movie shown on television, esp. one specially made for that medium rather than…
   54. film noir 1950–
       A film characterized by a mood of cynicism, fatalism, menace, and moral ambiguity, typically taking place in an urban setting.
   55. pièce noire 1951–
       A play or film with a sombre or macabre theme. Cf. film noir, n. & adj.
   56. pièce rose 1951–
       A light or entertaining play or film; a comedy.
   57. deepie 1953–
       A film made so as to give a viewer the illusion of three-dimensional depth; a 3-D film.
   58. misterioso 1953–
       An air of mystery; mysteriousness. Also: a film, television programme, etc., whose story relies on mystery and suspense.
   59. film noir 1956–
       A genre of crime film or thriller film characterized by a mood of cynicism, fatalism, menace, and moral ambiguity, and having a (typically…
   60. mockumentary 1956–
       A film, television programme, etc., which adopts the form of a serious documentary in order to satirize its subject.
   61. policier 1956–
       A film based on a police novel. Also occasionally: a police novel. Cf. roman policier, n.
   62. psychodrama 1956–
       A play, film, novel, etc., in which psychological elements are the main interest.
   63. free film 1958–
       A film made in accordance with the aims of the Free Cinema movement.
   64. beat 'em up 1959–
       A novel, film, etc., in which characters repeatedly engage in physically violent action, esp. of a graphic or sensational nature.
   65. co-production 1959–
       A joint production; the process or result of financing the production of (or, more rarely, of producing) something, esp. a film or television…
   66. glossy 1960–
       Cinematography. A film depicting fashionable life.
   67. sexploiter 1960–
       A sexually exploitative film.
   68. monster movie 1961–
       A film having a monster as a major feature of the action.
   69. sci-fier 1961–
       = science-fictioner, n.
   70. tie-in 1962–
       A book, film, or the like published to take advantage of the appearance of the same work in another medium.
   71. chanchada 1963–
       A type of popular Brazilian musical film, typically characterized by slapstick or burlesque humour, vibrant song and dance sequences, and the…
   72. romcom 1963–
       A film with a light, comedic tone and a plot centring on a romance (often viewed in a sentimental or idealized way); a romantic comedy; (also) the…
   73. wuxia 1963–
       An itinerant swordsman or warrior of ancient China. Frequently attributive, esp. designating a genre of Chinese historical fiction or martial…
   74. chick flick 1964–
       A film predominantly based around female characters; spec. (a) a film designed to appeal to male sexual fantasy in its exploitative portrayal of…
   75. showreel 1964–
       A short film, video, etc., containing examples of an actor's, director's, or company's work for showing to potential employers or customers; a…
   76. creature feature 1965–
       A film or television programme featuring fantastical or monstrous creatures.
   77. monster film 1965–
       = monster movie, n.
   78. sword-and-sandal 1965–
       A genre of film characterized by a setting in the ancient world, often featuring characters from the Bible or classical history and myth…
   79. schlockbuster 1966–
       A film or book which is highly popular or commercially successful but is regarded as having no artistic merit. Cf. schlocker, n.
   80. mondo 1967–
       A film which is reminiscent or imitative of Mondo Cane (see etymological note), esp. one with voyeuristic or pornographic elements. rare.
   81. peplum 1968–
       A film within a genre that flourished in Italy in the late 1950s and early 1960s, typically featuring an ancient world setting, an adventurous and… Though frequently popular worldwide, the relatively low production values and poor dubbing of many of these films meant that peplum was often used somewhat depreciatively.
   82. thriller 1968–
       One who or that which thrills; spec. (slang or colloquial) a sensational play, film, or story (cf. shocker, n.² A.1b).
   83. whydunit 1968–
       A story, play, or film in which the main interest lies in the detection of the motive for some crime or other action.
   84. cheapo 1969–
       spec. A film (or occasionally a book) produced on a low budget. Cf. cheapie, n. 3b.
   85. schlocker 1969–
       A film regarded as having no artistic merit; esp. a schlock horror film. Cf. schlockbuster, n.
   86. road movie 1970–
       A film in which the principal character or characters make a journey by road, typically a journey on which some form of insight or self-knowledge…
   87. blaxploitation 1972–
       As a modifier, designating a type of film exploiting a popular trend or taste for stereotypical urban African American characters, settings, and…
   88. buddy-buddy movie 1972–
       A movie portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy movie, n.
   89. buddy-buddy film 1974–
       A film portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy film, n.
   90. buddy film 1974–
       A film portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; a buddy movie; cf. buddy-buddy film, n.
   91. science-fictioner 1974–
       A science fiction film or television programme.
   92. screwball 1974–
       Originally U.S. Film. A genre of comedy film first produced in the United States in the 1930s, with a fast-moving, irreverent style, typically…
   93. buddy movie 1975–
       A movie portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy-buddy movie, n.
   94. slasher movie 1975–
       attributive. Designating cinematographic films which depict the activities of a vicious attacker whose victims are slashed with a blade, as slasher…
   95. swashbuckler 1975–
       A book, film, or other work portraying swashbuckling characters.
   96. filmi 1976–
       a. The films produced by the Mumbai film industry (rare). b. A type of music used in the soundtracks of these films (see sense A); = filmi geet, n.
   97. triptych 1976–
       transferred. Cinematography. A sequence of film designed to be shown on a triple screen, using linked projectors.
   98. autobiopic 1977–
       A film based on events in the life of the filmmaker; an autobiographical film. Cf. biopic, n.
   99. Britcom 1977–
       A comedy film produced or set in the United Kingdom; a British comedy film.
   100. kidflick 1977–
        A cinematographic or video film for children; = kidvid, n.
   101. noir 1977–
        A genre of crime film or detective fiction characterized by cynicism, sleaziness, fatalism, and moral ambiguity; film noir. Also: a film or novel in…
   102. bodice-ripper 1979–
        A sexually explicit romantic novel, esp. one in a historical setting with a plot involving the seduction of the heroine; also transferred, a film…
   103. monster flick 1980–
        = monster movie, n.
   104. chopsocky 1981–
        A violent action film featuring (numerous) sequences involving martial arts, esp. kung fu. Also: the martial arts themselves, as depicted in such…
   105. horror show 1982–
        A public spectacle, exhibition, performance, or (now usually) film or television series intended to entertain by arousing feelings of horror or fear.
   106. date movie 1983–
        A film that might be suitable for watching on a date (date, n.² 8a), esp. one which is pleasant but somewhat innocuous, such as a romantic comedy.
   107. kaiju eiga 1984–
        A genre of Japanese film having a giant monster as a major feature of the action; a film of this genre (or one in a similar style made…
   108. screener 1986–
        An advance copy or promotional video, DVD, etc., of a film, television programme, etc.
   109. neo-noir 1987–
        This style or genre; (also) a film or novel in this style.
   110. tent pole 1987–
        figurative and in figurative contexts. Film. A big-budget film which is expected to generate sufficient revenue or attention to support a range of…
   111. indie 1990–
        Originally U.S. An independently funded or operated (esp. media-based) company; an organization not affiliated with or backed by a major label or…
   112. bromance 2001–
        Intimate and affectionate friendship between men; a relationship between two men which is characterized by this. Also: a film focusing on such a…
   113. hack-and-slash 2002–
        Relating to or designating a film, interactive game, etc., which focuses chiefly on combat and violence. Cf. slasher, n. additions. Also…
   114. Europudding 2003–
        A television programme or (esp.) a film produced by and starring people from several different European nations, and hence often considered to be…
   115. tokusatsu 2004–
        A genre of Japanese film or television entertainment characterized by the use of practical special effects, usually featuring giant monsters…
   116. zom-com 2004–
        A comedy film featuring zombie characters.
   117. mumblecore 2005–
        A style of low-budget film typically characterized by naturalistic and (apparently) improvised performances, a reliance on dialogue rather than…
   118. independent 2006–
        A person or company producing films without the affiliation or backing of a major established studio; an independent filmmaker (cf. indie, n. B.1a)…
   119. dark fantasy 2007–
        A work of fiction, as a novel, film, etc., combining elements of horror and fantasy, typically sinister, bleak, or disturbing in tone or subject…
   120. hack-and-slay 2007–
        = hack-and-slash, adj. Also as n.
   121. gorefest 2012–
        A scene or description of bloodshed and gory violence; (now esp.) a film characterized by scenes of graphic violence and bloodshed.
   122. kidult
        slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). Frequently derogatory. A television programme, film, or other entertainment intended to appeal to both children and adults.
   View in Historical Thesaurus

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɒmkɒm/
ZOM-kom

### U.S. English

/ˈzɑmˌkɑm/
ZAHM-kahm

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- ɬrhingyll
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛtl/ but /ˈpɛtl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, bath
- ɑːstart, palm, bath
- ɒlot
- ɔːthought, force
- ʌstrut
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- əletter
- əːnurse
- ɪənear
- ɛːsquare
- ʊəcure
- eɪface
- ʌɪpride
- aʊmouth
- əʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ãgratin
- ɒ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye*
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- θthaw
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- ðthee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- xloch
- hhay
- llay
- rray
- wway
- jyore
- mmay
- nnay
- ŋsing

* /d/ also represents a 'tapped' /t/ as in

Some consonants can take the function of the vowel in unstressed syllables. Where necessary, a syllabic marker diacritic is used, hence /ˈpɛd(ə)l/ but /ˈpɛdl̩i/.

##### Vowels

- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)

##### Other symbols

- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.

View the pronunciation model here.

####

Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.

##### Consonants

b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values

- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige

##### Vowels

- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot

zom-com, n. was first published in September 2021.

zom-com, n. was last modified in July 2023.