zombie, n.

zombie
http://www.oed.com/dictionary/zombie_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_use
Revised 2021

# zombienoun

## Earlier version

- zombie in OED Second Edition (1989)

## Factsheet

### What does the noun zombie mean?

There are nine meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun zombie. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

zombie has developed meanings and uses in subjects including

occult (1920s) drink (1930s) military (1940s) philosophy (1970s) finance (1980s) computing (1990s)

### How common is the noun zombie?

About 0.6occurrences per million words in modern written English

1830 | 0.00009
1840 | 0.00007
1850 | 0.00009
1860 | 0.0001
1870 | 0.0002
1880 | 0.0003
1890 | 0.0003
1900 | 0.0047
1910 | 0.0071
1920 | 0.018
1930 | 0.035
1940 | 0.057
1950 | 0.1
1960 | 0.19
1970 | 0.29
1980 | 0.49
1990 | 0.69
2000 | 0.8
2010 | 0.92

### How is the noun zombie pronounced?

#### British English

/ˈzɒmbi/
ZOM-bee

#### U.S. English

/ˈzɑmbi/
ZAHM-bee

#### Caribbean English

/ˈzɑmbi/

### Where does the noun zombie come from?

Earliest known use

late 1700s

The earliest known use of the noun zombie is in the late 1700s.

OED's earliest evidence for zombie is from 1788, in Universal Magazine.

zombie is of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French Creole. Partly a borrowing from French.

Etymons: French Creole zombi; French zombi.

### Nearby entries

1. -zoite, comb. form
2. zol, n. 1946–
3. Zolaesque, adj. 1886–
4. Zolaism, n. 1882–
5. Zolaist, n. 1886–
6. Zolaize, v. 1886–
7. Zollinger–Ellison syndrome, n. 1956–
8. Zöllner, n. 1890–
9. zollverein, n. 1843–
10. zolotnik, n. 1783–
11. zombie, n.1788–
12. zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–
13. zombied, adj. 1972–
14. zombie-esque, adj. 1946–
15. zombie-like, adj. & adv. 1932–
16. zombie worm, n. 2005–
17. zombification, n. 1968–
18. zombified, adj. 1965–
19. zombify, v. 1950–
20. zombocalypse, n. 2007–
21. zomboid, adj. 1963–

## Etymology

### Summary

Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French Creole. Partly a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French Creole zombi; French zombi.
< French Creole and French zombi, zombie (1788 in the passage translated in quot. 1788) < Kimbundu nzumbi ghost, kind of spirit (apparently of or associated with a dead person) who torments living…
< French Creole and French zombi, zombie (1788 in the passage translated in quot. 1788) < Kimbundu nzumbi ghost, kind of spirit (apparently of or associated with a dead person) who torments living people.

Compare earlier jumbie n. and zumbi n.

### Notes

Other possible influences
Kongo zumbi, denoting a kind of spirit bringing luck, and Kongo nzambi, Kimbundu nzambi, denoting a creator god (subsequently also identified with the Christian God), are also often cited as possible etymons, but, on semantic grounds, these are less likely to have been the main source, although they may have had an influence. With the latter compare French †zamby, denoting a kind of spirit (1765 in a West African context).
Compare the following passages, which appear to show forms of Kimbundu nzambi and its Kongo cognate in English contexts, in quot 1760 with reference to events in 17th-cent. Angola, and in quot. 1819 as the personal name of Zumbi dos Palmares (1655–95), the leader of the first quilombo community in Brazil:

1. 1760

   > He ordered likewise some soldiers to walk before it [sc. a crucifix] and to proclaim aloud to the army, that it was the Zambi, or God, of the [Angolan] queen.

   Modern Part of Universal History vol. XVI. 229 (note)
2. 1819

   > Zombi, the title whereby he was called, is the name for the Deity, in the Angolan tongue. [footnote NZambi is the word for Deity.]

   R. Southey, History of Brazil vol. III. xxxi. 24

## Meaning & use

1. I.
   The ghost or spirit of a dead person; a reanimated corpse, or a being likened to or resembling one.
   1. I.1.
      1788–
      In parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. zumbi n., jumbie n., duppy n. Now rare.
      In early use frequently in French contexts, esp. in translations from French.
      1. 1788

         > Some supposed that the Zombies had carried him off [French que les Zombis l'avoient enlevé]. [footnote] The Zombies make a great figure in the superstition of the Negroes. Like the Larvæ of the antients, they are supposed to be the spirits of dead wicked men, that are permitted to wander, and torment the living.

         Universal Magazine September 117/1
      2. 1838

         > In distinguishing the voice of a human being his terror of zombies was dissipated.

         La Belle Assemblée April 351/2
      3. 1924

         > A sudden gust of horror as the (demon) zombi passes.

         New York Times 6 January (Book Review section) 21/5
      4. 1979

         > Zombies were black shapeless things. They could get through a locked door and you heard them walking up to your bed. You didn't see them, you felt their hairy hands round your throat.

         J. Rhys, Smile Please 30
      1. ghost Old English–
         The soul or spirit of a dead person or animal, conceived of as appearing in visible form or otherwise manifesting in the physical world, typically…
      2. hue Old English–1603
         concrete. An apparition, a phantasm. Obsolete.
      3. soul Old English–
         The disembodied spirit of a deceased person (or occasionally an animal) regarded as a separate entity and invested with some degree of…
      4. fantasy c1325–1583
         A spectral apparition, phantom; an illusory appearance. Obs.
      5. spirit c1350–
         An incorporeal, supernatural, rational being, of a type usually regarded as imperceptible to humans but capable of becoming visible at will, and…
      6. phantom c1384–
         A thing (usually with human form) that appears to the sight or other sense, but has no material substance; an apparition, a spectre, a ghost. Also…
      7. phantasm c1430–
         An apparition, spirit, or ghost; a visible but incorporeal being. Now archaic and rare.
      8. haunter c1440–
         One who or that which haunts, in various senses; a frequenter.
      9. shadow a1464–
         A spectral form, phantom; = shade, n. II.6.
      10. appearance 1488–
          That which appears without being material; a phantom or apparition.
      11. wraith 1513–
          An apparition or spectre of a dead person; a phantom or ghost.
      12. hag 1538–1637
          A frightening apparition or creature, esp. a ghost. Obsolete.
      13. spoorn 1584–1790
          A special kind of spectre or phantom.
      14. vizard a1591
          A phantasm or spectre. Obsolete. rare.
      15. life-in-death 1593–
          A condition of being or seeming to be neither alive nor dead, a phantom state between life and death; (in extended use) something having the form or…
      16. phantasma 1598–
          = phantasm, n. (in various senses).
      17. umbra 1601–
          The shade of a deceased person; a phantom or ghost. Also figurative.
      18. larve 1603–
          = larva, n. 1.
      19. spectre 1605–
          An apparition, phantom, or ghost, esp. one of a terrifying nature or aspect.
      20. spectrum 1611–
          An apparition or phantom; a spectre.
      21. idolon 1612–
          A non-material image of a person or thing; esp. a mental image, visualization, or conception.
      22. apparition a1616–
          spec. An immaterial appearance as of a real being; a spectre, phantom, or ghost. (The ordinary current sense.)
      23. shade a1616–
          A spectre, phantom. rare.
      24. shape a1616–
          concrete. An imaginary, spectral, or ethereal form; a phantom. Now rare.
      25. show a1616–1841
          A phantom, a vision, an apparition. Obsolete.
      26. larva 1651–
          A disembodied spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, spectre. Obsolete exc. Historical.
      27. white hat?1693
          Newfoundland. The name of a spirit or ghost. Obsolete. rare.
      28. zumbi 1704–
          Chiefly in West and South-west African (esp. Angolan) contexts: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Occasionally also Car…
      29. jumbie 1764–
          The ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. duppy, n., zombie, n. I.1.
      30. duppy 1774–
          A name among black West Indians for a ghost or spirit.
      31. waff 1777–
          An apparition, wraith. = waft, n.¹ 7.
      32. zombie 1788–
          In parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: the ghost or spirit of a dead person, esp. a malevolent one. Cf. zumbi, n., j…
      33. Wild Huntsman 1796–
          A phantom huntsman of Teutonic legend, fabled to ride at night through the fields and woods with shouts and baying of hounds.
      34. spook 1801–
          A spectre, apparition, ghost. Often somewhat jocular or colloquial.
      35. ghostie 1810–
          A ghost.
      36. hantu a1811–
          An evil spirit, a ghost.
      37. preta 1811–
          The disembodied soul of a dead person, esp. before the completion of funeral rites and ceremonies allowing it to leave the world of humans as an…
      38. bodach 1814–
          A peasant, churl; also (Scottish) a spectre.
      39. revenant 1823–
          A person who returns from the dead; a reanimated corpse; a ghost. Also figurative.
      40. death-fetch 1826–
          a. An apparition or double of a living person that is superstitiously believed to portend the person's death; b. a spirit supposed to come and…
      41. sowlth 1829–
          A formless, luminous spectre. Chiefly in the writings of W. B. Yeats.
      42. kehua 1839–
          The spirit of a dead person; a ghost.
      43. haunt 1843–
          U.S. regional and English regional. A spirit supposed to haunt a place; a ghost. Also (occasionally) in wider use.
      44. night-bat 1847–
          a. Caribbean (Barbados and Guyana) a bat; b. now literary a ghost, a bogey; c. chiefly Jamaican, a large night-flying moth.
      45. spectrality 1850–
          A phantasm; ghostliness.
      46. thivish 1852–
          A ghost, apparition, or spectre.
      47. beastie 1867–
          Originally Scottish. A frightening supernatural creature or spirit; a ghost, hobgoblin, or bogey; a monster.
      48. ghost soul 1869–
          (In the context of spiritualism and shamanism) the soul of a human or animal that animates the body but can exist and travel separately from it, as…
      49. barrow-wight 1891–
          A mound of earth or stones erected in early times over a grave; a grave-mound, a tumulus. Also attributive as barrow-wight n. (see quot. 1891); so…
      50. resurrect 1892
          A person who has risen from the dead.
      51. waft 1897–
          An apparition, wraith. Cf. waff, n. 5.
      52. churel 1901–
          In India, the ghost of a woman who has died in child-birth, believed to haunt lonely places malevolently and to spread disease.
      53. comeback 1908–
          A person who has returned; (also) a ghost. rare.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. 1. I.2.a.
         1928–
         Esp. in parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: a soulless corpse said to have been revived by witchcraft.
         The concept of the zombie was popularized by U.S. writer and explorer W. B. Seabrook (1884–1945), particularly in the book The Magic Island (1929), and slightly later by the film White Zombie (1932), which was based on this book.
         1. 1928

            > A ‘Zombie’—perhaps a real one; perhaps just a demented old man—believed by Haitian peasants to have been exhumed after death, revivified by sorcery and put to work as a slave in the fields.

            W. B. Seabrook in Sunday State Journal (Lincoln, Nebraska) 25 March iii. 1c/2 (caption)
         2. 1966

            > Luckily no one dared move on the roads at night; it was the hour when only zombies worked or else the Tontons Macoute.

            G. Greene, Comedians i. iv. 104
         3. 1984

            > A zombie, as every schoolboy knows, is a person who has been killed and raised from the dead by sinister voodoo priests called bocors.

            Times 26 January 12/6
         4. 2010

            > The zombie in Haiti is a victim—deserving of pity more than fear. Without any recollection of its past or hope for the future, the zombie exists only in the present of its exploitation.

            K. L. Glover, Haiti Unbound ii. ii. 59
         occult
         1. carrion c1460–83
            = Applied to a dead person or corpse that ‘walks’ or returns to earth. Obsolete.
         2. zombie 1928–
            Esp. in parts of the Caribbean (esp. Haiti) and the southern United States: a soulless corpse said to have been revived by witchcraft.
         3. ogbanje 1976–
            In Nigeria: a child believed by the Igbo people to die repeatedly and be continually reincarnated and born to the same parents. Also: a reincarnated…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. I.2.b.
         1970–
         In horror films, books, etc.: a reanimated corpse, typically portrayed as a creature capable of movement but not rational thought, with an insatiable hunger for human flesh or brains. Also occasionally in extended use with reference to similar mindless creatures.
         Now the most common sense.
         1. 1970

            > The countryside is overrun with these murderous zombies—evidently corpses revived by radiation from a rocket abortively shot to Venus.

            Monthly Film Bulletin January 8/2
         2. 1984

            > Zombies in white-face drifted across the screen, masticating bratwurstlike strings of human intestine.

            T. C. Boyle, Budding Prospects (1985) i. i. 4
         3. 1996

            > The zombies can only by killed by disgusting, brain-spattering blows to the head.

            St. Louis (Missouri) Post-Dispatch (Nexis) 14 June e3
         4. 2011

            > What's that lurking in the shadows? A ghoul? A goblin? A flesh-eating zombie?

            FourFourTwo October 28/4
   3. 1. I.3.a.
         1936–
         figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
         1. 1936

            > Any performer [in a film] not a Caucasian is a zombie.

            H. L. Mencken, American Language (ed. 4) xi. 587
         2. 1946

            > They've spent their lives starving their imagination, just starving it to death. And now they're zombies.

            J. B. Priestley, Bright Day xi. 329
         3. 1981

            > They'll give us electric shocks... They'll give us pills and make us zombies.

            P. Carey, Bliss iv. 156
         4. 2016

            > We're all self-medicated, middle-class zombies.

            Sunday Telegraph (Nexis) 24 July (Business section) 12
         colloquial and slang disparaging
         1. ass Old English–
            A foolish or stupid person. Now chiefly British colloquial and somewhat dated. Cf. silly ass, n.
         2. sot Old English–1742
            A foolish or stupid person; a fool, blockhead, dolt. Obsolete.
         3. beast c1225–
            A brutal, cruel, or wicked person. In early use also: †a stupid or foolish person (obsolete). Cf. brute, n.¹ B.2.
         4. long-ear?a1300–
            In singular and (usually) plural. A hare or rabbit.
         5. stock 1303–
            As the type of what is lifeless, motionless, or void of sensation. Hence, a senseless or stupid person.
         6. buzzard 1377–
            figurative. A worthless, stupid, or ignorant person. Often with the adjective blind; also used euphemistically = bastard, n. A.I.2a.
         7. mis-feeling a1382
            A foolish or senseless person.
         8. dasart a1400
            A dazed, stupefied, or inert person; a dullard; = dasiberd, n., dastard, n. A.1.
         9. stone a1400–
            transferred and figurative. Something resembling stone or a stone. In figurative sense, chiefly as the supposed substance of a ‘hard’ heart; also…
         10. dottle c1400–
             A foolish or stupid person; (also) an elderly person whose mental faculties are impaired.
         11. doddypoll 1401–1767
             A stupid person; blockhead, fool.
         12. Jack fool c1405–
             = tomfool, n.
         13. dastard c1440–1552
             One inert or dull of wit, a dullard; a sot. Obsolete.
         14. dotterel 1440–
             A foolish or stupid person; (more usually) an elderly person whose mental faculties are impaired. Now rare (Scottish and English regional (chiefly nor…
         15. dullard c1440–
             A dull or stupid person; a dolt, dunce.
         16. wantwit 1449–
             A person who lacks good sense; a foolish or witless person. Cf. lackwit, n.
         17. dasiberd c1450–1500
             A stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton.
         18. jobard c1475–
             A stupid person, a fool.
         19. noll c1475–1600
             With depreciative adjective: a person of a specified kind. Obsolete.
         20. drivel 1478–1600
             A person lacking in intelligence; a fool, an imbecile.
         21. idiot c1480–
             Frequently derogatory. A person who speaks or acts in what the speaker considers an irrational way, or with extreme stupidity or foolishness.
         22. asshead a1500–
             A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. ass, n.¹ 2.
         23. mule a1500–
             In extended use, of a person. gen. A person having a quality characteristic of or associated with mules, esp. a stupid, obstinate, or physically…
         24. John Blunt?1507
             (Perhaps) a generic name for a dull, stupid person; cf. Jack Blunt, n.
         25. peak 1509–80
             A silly or foolish person; a dolt, a fool. Also peak-hoddy, peak-noddy.
         26. dulbert?a1513–
             A dull or stupid person; one slow of comprehension.
         27. doddy-pate c1525
             = doddypoll, n.
         28. noddypoll a1529–98
             A fool, a simpleton.
         29. blockhead 1532–
             A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. block, n.¹ I.i.1c, I.i.1d. Now colloquial.
         30. hammer-head 1532–
             A head, likened to a hammer; a blockhead. (Cf. beetle-head, n.) Obsolete.
         31. grosshead 1533–1606
             A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. fat-head, n.² 1.
         32. nidiot 1533–
             An idiot, a fool.
         33. dull-head?1534–1624
             A dull-headed or slow-witted person; a fool, a blockhead.
         34. capon 1542–
             As a type of dullness, and a term of reproach.
         35. hare-brain 1542–1670
             One who has a brain like a hare's, or no more brain than a hare; a giddy or reckless person. Obsolete.
         36. dolt 1543–
             A dull, stupid fellow; a blockhead, numskull.
         37. cod's head 1549–
             A stupid or silly person, a fool, a blockhead. Now archaic.
         38. mome 1550–
             A fool, a dolt. Also in extended use.
         39. grout-head 1551–1650
             A blockhead, thickhead, dunce.
         40. gander 1553–
             figurative. A dull or stupid person; a fool, simpleton.
         41. skit-brains?1553–
             attributive and in other combinations, as skit-brains, skit-brained, in opprobrious use.
         42. block a1556–1912
             figurative. A person likened to a log or piece of wood in lacking intelligence; a blockhead. Also: a person likened to a log or piece of wood in…
         43. calf a1556–
             transferred. Applied to human beings: A stupid fellow, a dolt; sometimes a meek inoffensive person. Also as a term of endearment. Essex calf n. a…
         44. hare-cop a1566
             ? = hare-brain, n.
         45. tomfool 1565–
             Usually with capital initial(s). As a proper noun, used as the type of a foolish, stupid, or half-witted person.
         46. dunce 1567–
             A person who is slow at learning or of low intelligence; a stupid, dim-witted person; an idiot. (Now the usual sense.)
         47. John Cheese a1568
             (Perhaps) a fool, an idiot; a contemptible person.
         48. druggard 1569–1733
             Perhaps: (as a term of contempt) = druggle, n. Obsolete.
         49. cobble 1570
             (See quot. 1570: perhaps not the same word.) Obsolete.
         50. dummel 1570–
             A stupid, foolish, or sluggish person; a slow, sluggish, or worn-out animal. Also: †a person who is unable to speak (obsolete).
         51. Essex calf 1573–
             The name of an English county, occurring attributively in Essex board (see quot. 1933); Essex calf (literally a calf reared in Essex), formerly…
         52. jolthead 1573–
             A heavy-headed or thick-headed person; a blockhead. Also attributive.
         53. hardhead 1576–
             An unthinking or unintelligent person; a ‘blockhead’. Also: a person who is stubborn and uncompromising. Occasionally as a nickname. Cf. hard, adj.…
         54. beetle-head 1577–
         55. dor-head 1577
             A stupid or blundering fellow = beetle, n.² 4 (obsolete).
         56. groutnoll 1578–1658
             = grout-head, n.
         57. nidget 1579–
             An idiot, a fool.
         58. thickskin 1582–
             One who has a thick skin; a person dull or slow of feeling. Also attributive.
         59. noddyship?1589
             A mock title for a fool.
         60. dull-pate 1590–1705
             = dull-head, n.
         61. jobbernowl 1592–
             A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a numbskull.
         62. beetle-brain 1593–
         63. Dorbel 1593–1621
             A scholastical pedant, a dull-witted person, dolt; cf. dunce, n.
         64. oatmeal-groat 1594
             Obsolete derogatory. A stupid or worthless person.
         65. loggerhead 1595–
             A thick-headed or stupid person; a blockhead.
         66. blockpate 1598
             A stupid or foolish person; a blockhead.
         67. cittern-head 1598–1640
             Used as a term of abuse, with reference to the grotesquely carved head of a cittern.
         68. cloghead 1598–
             derogatory. Now rare. A stupid or foolish person. Formerly also: †the head of such a person (obsolete). Cf. blockhead, n.
         69. noddypoop 1598
             = noddypoll, n.
         70. dorbellist 1599
         71. numps 1599–
             A silly or stupid person. Frequently as a form of address. Cf. numpty, n.
         72. shallow-pate 1600–
             A person of shallow intellect.
         73. dor 1601–57
             figurative. Applied to persons. Obsolete.
         74. lunatic 1602–
             figurative (chiefly disparaging or derogatory). A person regarded as extremely or recklessly foolish, wildly irrational, eccentric, delusional, or…
         75. stump 1602–
             Applied to a person: A blockhead (cf. stock, n.¹ A.I.1c, stub, n. 2); a man of short stumpy figure (cf. stub, n. 7d). †Sometimes as a term of…
         76. flight-head 1605
             ‘A wild-headed person’ (Nares).
         77. ram-head 1605–
             A person whose head is likened to that of a ram; a dull, slow-witted, or obstinate individual; a cuckold. Now historical.
         78. look-like-a-goose 1606–24
             A foolish or stupid person; cf. goose, n. 1f.
         79. ruff 1606–74
             A blockhead, a fool.
         80. clod 1607–
             figurative. A blockhead, clodpate; a clodhopper.
         81. halfwit 1607–
             A person of limited intelligence; a stupid or foolish person.
         82. turf 1607–74
             A clod of earth. Also figurative cf. clod, n. 4. Obsolete.
         83. asinego 1609–1714
             A ‘donkey,’ fool, dolt.
         84. clot-poll 1609–
             (clotpoll, -pole.) A clod-poll, n., blockhead, dolt.
         85. doddie a1611
             Shortened form of doddypoll, n. Obsolete.
         86. druggle 1611–53
             A term of contempt: a heavy, stupid, weak, or cowardly person.
         87. duncecomb 1612
             A stupid person; a fool, a dunce.
         88. ox-head 1613–
             A stupid person; a dolt, a blockhead. Now chiefly archaic.
         89. clod-poll a1616–
             = clod-pate, n.
         90. dulman 1615–61
             A dull or stupid person; humorously as a proper name.
         91. jolterhead 1620–
             = jolthead, n. 2.
         92. bullhead 1624–
             ‘A stupid fellow; a blockhead’ (Johnson). Also attributive.
         93. dunderwhelp a1625–
             A stupid or foolish person; = dunderhead, n.
         94. non-intelligent 1628–1866
             A person who is not intelligent; (also) a person who does not understand. Obsolete.
         95. dunderhead 1630–
             A stupid or slow-witted person; an idiot, a fool.
         96. macaroon a1631–
             slang. A buffoon; a blockhead, a dolt. Also (regional): a fop (cf. macaroni, n. 2).
         97. moonling 1631–
             A simpleton; an idiot.
         98. clod-pate a1635–
             A thickhead or blockhead.
         99. clot a1637–
             colloquial. A dull-witted, clumsy, or blundering person. In later use often as a mild or affectionate term of reproach. Cf. clod, n. 5.
         100. dildo 1638–
              colloquial. Originally as a general term of abuse for a boy or young man. In later use: a stupid, inept, or ridiculous person.
         101. clot-pate 1640–54
              = clod-pate, n.
         102. stupid 1640–
              colloquial. A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
         103. underhead 1643–80
              A person of inferior intelligence. Obsolete.
         104. clod-head 1644–
              A clod-pate, n.
         105. stub 1644
              figurative. A blockhead; = stock, n.¹ A.I.1c. Obsolete.
         106. simpletonian 1652–
              An unintelligent, foolish, or gullible person; a simpleton.
         107. bottle-head 1654–
              A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a fool, a blockhead.
         108. Boeotian a1657–
              A stupid clown, a ‘thick-head’.
         109. vappe 1657
              figurative. A stupid person.
         110. lackwit 1668–
              A witless or stupid person.
         111. no conjurer 1668–
              transferred. Said ironically of a person of superior cleverness. no conjurer n. one who is far from clever.
         112. cudden 1673–1719
              A born fool, a dolt. Obsolete.
         113. plant-animal 1673–1706
              figurative. A dull, inert, or stupid person. Obsolete.
         114. dolt-head 1679–1711
              a. A dolt, blockhead; b. a stupid head (quot. 1711).
         115. cabbage head 1682–
              a. (derogatory) a dull-witted or foolish person (cf. cabbage, n.¹ II.6); b. the head formed by the unexpanded leaves of a cabbage.
         116. driveller 1682–
              A person who talks or acts in a foolish, silly, or feeble way; a drivelling idiot.
         117. tomfool 1683–
              As a common noun: a foolish or stupid person; an idiot.
         118. put 1688–
              A stupid or foolish person, a blockhead. Cf. country put, n.
         119. a piece of wood 1691
              Phrases. a piece of wood: a contemptuous appellation for a stupid person; a blockhead.
         120. ouphe 1694–
              Chiefly Scottish (north-eastern). A stupid or ineffectual person.
         121. dunderpate 1697–
              A stupid or foolish person; = dunderhead, n.
         122. numbskull 1697–
              A stupid or foolish person; an idiot, a blockhead.
         123. insipid 1699–1796
              An insipid person or thing; one who is deficient in sense, spirit, or taste. Obsolete.
         124. leather-head 1699–
              a. slang a blockhead; b. Australian the friar-bird.
         125. nocky 1699–
              A fool, a simpleton.
         126. Tom Cony 1699
              In personal names used generically with the meaning ‘a stupid or foolish person, an oaf’, as Tom Cony, Tom Dingle, Tom Towly. Cf. Tom doodle, n. Obs…
         127. mopus 1700
              A simpleton; a dull, stupid, or ineffectual person; = mope, n. 1.
         128. bluff-head 1703–
              bluff-bowed, bluff-browed, bluff-chested, bluff-headed (see sense 1a); bluff-head n. a bluff headland, the top of a bluff; also figurative as a…
         129. clod skull 1707–
              = clod-head, n.
         130. shallow-brains 1707
              A shallow-brained person.
         131. sillytonian 1707–38
              A silly or gullible person, esp. one considered as belonging to a notional sect of such people. Cf. sillyton, n., grumbletonian, n.
         132. dunny 1709–1906
              a. A stupid or foolish person; a person lacking in intellect or understanding. b. A deaf person. Obsolete.
         133. inane 1710–
              An empty-headed, unintelligent person.
         134. dowf 1722–
              A dull, spiritless, foolish, or stupid person. Now rare.
         135. niddy-noddy 1722–
              An idiot, a fool; a grotesque image. Also as adj.: stupid. English regional in later use.
         136. stupe 1722–
              A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
         137. coof 1724–
              A dull spiritless fellow; one somewhat obtuse in sense and sensibility.
         138. gamphrel 1729–
              A stupid or foolish person; a fool, a blockhead, an idiot.
         139. gobbin?1746–
              An unintelligent or uneducated person; a fool, an idiot.
         140. duncehead 1749–
              derogatory or disparaging. A stupid, inept, or dim-witted person; an idiot. Cf. dunce, n. II.3.
         141. thick-skull 1755–
              A thick-skulled person.
         142. jackass 1756–
              A foolish or stupid person; an idiot, a dolt. Cf. ass, n.¹ 2. Now chiefly North American.
         143. woollen-head 1756
              A thick-headed or dull person (in quot. attributive).
         144. numbhead 1757–
              A numbskull, a blockhead.
         145. crazy pate 1758–1920
              A person considered to be irrational, foolish, or insane.
         146. dummy 1763–
              A foolish or stupid person; an idiot. Frequently as a general term of abuse.
         147. beef-head 1775–
              A thick-head, a block-head.
         148. granny 1776–
              Originally U.S. A person compared disparagingly to an old woman; a fussy, indecisive, or unenterprising person. Also: (English regional (Cheshire))…
         149. imbecile 1781–
              Chiefly derogatory. A very stupid, foolish, or ignorant person.
         150. puggle 1783–1925
              A crazy or foolish person, an idiot. Obsolete.
         151. stupid-head 1792–
              A stupid or slow-witted person; a fool, an idiot, a blockhead; frequently as a contemptuous form of address.
         152. stunpoll a1794–
              A dolt, blockhead.
         153. timber-head 1794–
              a. Nautical the head or end of any timber; spec. such an end rising above the deck and serving as a bollard: see 1860 at kevel, n.² 2; b. slang (rare…
         154. wether head a1796–
              A sheep's head; figurative a stupid person.
         155. noghead 1800–
              A foolish or stupid person.
         156. staumrel 1802–
              A stupid, halfwitted person.
         157. muttonhead 1803–
              A dull or stupid person. Cf. sheep's head, n. 2.
         158. doughhead 1807–
              (A name for) a stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
         159. num 1807
              = numbskull, n.
         160. dummkopf 1809–
              A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dumbhead, n.
         161. tumphy a1813–
              A stupid person, a blockhead.
         162. ganache 1814–
              derogatory. A person of low intelligence. Now rare.
         163. dumbhead 1818–
              A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
         164. cod's head and shoulders 1820–
              In fishes (singular and plural), the upper part of the trunk, adjoining the head.
         165. loon 1823–
              A person regarded as foolish, unintelligent, irrational, or out of touch with reality; a person who thinks or behaves in ways which are not…
         166. stoopid 1823–
              Chiefly as a contemptuous form of address: a stupid or foolish person; = stupid, n. C.1.
         167. thick-head 1824–
              One who is dull of intellect; a blockhead.
         168. dult 1825–
              = dolt, n.; a dunce; the boy at the bottom of a class or form.
         169. gype 1825–
              A fool, an idiot.
         170. stob 1825
              figurative. (See quot. 1825.)
         171. stookie a1828–
              A plaster statue, a wax figure or dummy. Also transferred, a slow-witted person, a blockhead.
         172. woodenhead 1831–
              A stupid person, a blockhead.
         173. ning-nong 1832–
              A fool, a stupid person. Also in extended use. Cf. nig-nog, n.¹
         174. slobber-chops 1832–
              As a general term of abuse or contempt: a stupid, contemptible, or ineffectual person. Now rare.
         175. log-head 1834–
              = blockhead, n. A.1.
         176. fat-head 1835–
              One having a fat head; a stupid dolt.
         177. dunderheadism 1836–
              Behaviour typical of a dunderhead; foolishness, stupidity.
         178. turnip 1837–
              In slang or colloquial uses. disparaging. A foolish or stupid person; (often by implication) a naive or unsophisticated person from the…
         179. wanwit 1837–
              colloquial. A person whose mental faculties are limited or impaired. Also: a foolish or irrational person. Now archaic and rare.
         180. mudhead 1838–
              U.S. colloquial. derogatory. A native of Tennessee. Now rare.
         181. donkey 1840–
              transferred. A stupid or silly person.
         182. stupex 1843–
              A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
         183. cabbage 1844–
              A dull-witted person; someone lacking interests or ambition (cf. cabbage head, n.). Also: a person who is incapable of normal mental or physical…
         184. opacity 1844–
              Denseness or obtuseness of intellect or understanding. Also (in quot. 1844): a person exemplifying this. Now rare.
         185. morepork 1845–
              colloquial. Australian. A stupid or tiresome person (frequently as a term of abuse).
         186. lubber-head 1847–
              A stupid person, a blockhead; hence lubber-headed adj. (Eng. Dial. Dict.).
         187. slowpoke 1847–
              (A name for) a slow or lazy person; a dawdler; a slowcoach. Also: †a dim-witted person (obsolete).
         188. stupiditarian 1850–
              An unintelligent, uneducated, or foolish person.
         189. pudding-head 1851–
              derogatory. A stupid person.
         190. cod's head and shoulders 1852–
              A stupid or silly person, a fool, a blockhead. Now archaic.
         191. eejit 1853–
              = idiot, n.
         192. putty head 1853–
              A stupid person.
         193. nowmun 1854–
              A fool, an idiot.
         194. moke 1855–
              In extended use: a person who is stupid, awkward, or incompetent; a dolt, a fool; = donkey, n. 2a.
         195. mullet-head 1855–
              A stupid person.
         196. pothead 1855–
              colloquial (chiefly regional). A stupid person, a fool.
         197. mug 1857–
              A stupid or incompetent person; a fool or simpleton; a gullible person, a dupe.
         198. thick 1857–
              colloquial and slang (originally Schoolboys'). A thick-headed or stupid person.
         199. clot-head 1859–
              = clot-pate, n.
         200. boodle 1862–88
              A stupid or silly person; a fool, an idiot.
         201. meathead 1863–
              derogatory (originally U.S.). A stupid person; a person (esp. a man) who has a large or muscular physique but who is unintelligent or uncouth.
         202. missing link 1863–
              colloquial. derogatory. Applied to a person, esp. one considered crude or stupid.
         203. scant-brain 1864
              One lacking in wits.
         204. half-baked 1866–
              colloquial and regional. A foolish or stupid person. Cf. sense A.2b.
         205. crazyhead 1867–
              slang (chiefly derogatory). A person who is considered to lack intelligence or common sense.
         206. lunk 1867–
              A slow-witted, unintelligent person.
         207. turnip head 1867–
              A foolish or stupid person; (often by implication) a naive or unsophisticated person from the countryside; a country bumpkin; cf. turnip, n. 3b, tur…
         208. rummy 1872–
              A stupid person; a dupe.
         209. born idiot 1873–
              A person having an intellectual disability (now offensive); (in later use also) a person who acts with extreme stupidity or foolishness.
         210. dinlo 1873–
              A stupid, annoying, or hapless person; an idiot, a fool.
         211. doughbake 1874–
              Chiefly English regional (south-western). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dough-baked, adj. 2.
         212. pumpkin-head 1876–
              A person with a head compared to a pumpkin; a fool, a dolt. Also: a head resembling or made from a pumpkin; spec. (a) a large or round head; (b) a…
         213. insensate 1877–
              An insensate person.
         214. tattie 1879–
              = potato, n. 2. Also figurative, a stupid person.
         215. chump 1883–
              figurative. A man as unintelligent as a chump of wood; a block, blockhead (cf. block, n.¹ I.i.1d).
         216. dully 1883–
              A dull or stupid person.
         217. cretin 1884–
              derogatory and potentially offensive. An extremely foolish or stupid person; an idiot, a fool. Also as a general term of abuse or disparagement.
         218. lunkhead 1884–
              A blockhead.
         219. mopstick 1886
              slang. A stupid person, an idiot. Obsolete. rare.
         220. knuckle-head 1890–
              A slow-witted or stupid person.
         221. peanut head 1891–
              A stupid or foolish person; also as a term of abuse. Cf. pinhead, n. A.4a, pea-brain, n., etc.
         222. pie-face 1891–
              A round, flat face resembling a pie; a person with such a face, esp. if appearing blank or expressionless; a stupid person. Also attributive in pi…
         223. lardhead 1893–
              A foolish person; a person lacking in intelligence. Cf. fat-head, n.² 1.
         224. butt-head 1896–
              Originally and chiefly North American. A stupid, stubborn, or contemptible person. Cf. butt-headed, adj. 1.
         225. pinhead 1896–
              colloquial. derogatory. A person with an abnormally small head; (figurative) a stupid or foolish person.
         226. ding-a-ling 1899–
              North American colloquial (originally slang). A person who is psychologically disturbed or mentally ill, esp. (in early use) as a result of being…
         227. cheesehead 1900–
              A silly or foolish person; an idiot.
         228. nyamps 1900–
              An incapable, worthless, or stupid person.
         229. box head 1902–
              colloquial. A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. blockhead, n. A.1.
         230. bonehead 1903–
              slang (originally U.S.). A person characterized as unthinking or unintelligent; a blockhead.
         231. chickenhead 1903–
              colloquial (chiefly U.S.). Usually as two words or with hyphen. A foolish or stupid person. Cf. chicken-headed, adj.
         232. gook 1904–
              A stupid, annoying, or peculiar person; spec. †(a) a person who offers unsolicited advice or opinions, a know-all (obsolete); (b) (now chiefly) a… Now somewhat uncommon, perhaps due to the possibility of confusion with the derogatory and offensive gook, n.²
         233. thickwit 1904–
              A thick-witted person.
         234. cluck 1906–
              U.S. slang. A stupid, inept, or unsuccessful person.
         235. boob 1907–
              colloquial. Originally and chiefly U.S. A stupid, inept, or blundering person; a fool. Cf. booby, n.¹ 1a.
         236. John 1908–
              U.S. slang. A gullible or easily-fooled person, a dupe; esp. a potential victim of a swindle or confidence trick. Cf. mark, n.¹ VI.26.
         237. mooch 1910–
              colloquial and regional. A slow-witted person; one who is easily taken in or swindled; a dupe, a sucker. Now chiefly U.S.
         238. nitwit 1910–
              A stupid, silly, or foolish person. Also in extended use as a term of abuse or derision.
         239. dikkop 1913–
              figurative. = thick-head, n. 1.
         240. feeb 1914–
              A foolish or stupid person.
         241. goop 1914–
              A stupid or fatuous person.
         242. lamebrain 1914–
              A foolish, stupid, or idiotic person; a dimwit. Also as a contemptuous form of address.
         243. dingbat 1915–
              Chiefly North American, Australian, and New Zealand. A person who is wildly irrational or eccentric; one who is foolish or stupid. Also as a general…
         244. goofus 1916–
              A foolish or stupid person. Cf. doofus, n.
         245. rumdum 1916–
              A drunkard, esp. one whose faculties are affected by drinking. Hence: a fool, a person lacking ability.
         246. bone dome 1917–
              a. derogatory (a nickname for) an unthinking or unintelligent person; a blockhead; = bonehead, n. A.1a; b. a crash helmet, esp. one for a pilot; cf…
         247. oik 1917–
              An uncouth, loutish, uneducated, or obnoxious person; a yob (esp. with connotations of lower-class origin).
         248. dumbbell 1918–
              colloquial (originally U.S.). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot. Cf. dumb, adj. A.II.10a.
         249. jabroni 1919–
              U.S. slang and colloquial (derogatory, often used mockingly). A stupid, objectionable, or ridiculous man; a loser, a knuckle-head.
         250. goldfish 1920–
              figurative. Chiefly in similative and allusive use, typically as a means of characterizing or stereotyping a person as having limited intelligence…
         251. knob 1920–
              slang. An annoying, unpleasant, or idiotic person (esp. a man or boy). Cf. knobhead, n. 2.
         252. dumb bunny 1921–
              A foolish or stupid person.
         253. goon 1921–
              A stolid, dull, or stupid person. Originally U.S.
         254. ratbag 1921–
              A disagreeable, disreputable, or contemptible person or (occasionally) thing, a ‘scumbag’; (also, Australian) a wayward or eccentric person, a crank.
         255. bodoh 1922–
              Malaysian English and Singapore English (colloquial and derogatory). A person who is foolish, ignorant, or inept; an idiot, a dunce.
         256. dimwit 1922–
              A stupid or slow-witted person.
         257. moron 1922–
              derogatory. A stupid or slow-witted person; a fool, an idiot. Also attributive or as adj.
         258. ivory dome 1923–
              A stupid person.
         259. stone jug 1923–
              Rhyming slang. = mug, n.⁶ Cf. steamer, n. 11.
         260. dingleberry 1924–
              slang. Originally U.S. A foolish, stupid, or annoying person.
         261. gimp 1924–
              derogatory slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, inept, or contemptible person.
         262. bird brain 1926–
              A foolish or unintelligent person.
         263. jughead 1926–
              A foolish or stupid person; also, as a mere term of abuse.
         264. no-brow 1926–
              A person having, or regarded as having, few or no cultural interests or little intellect.
         265. cloth-head 1927–
              A thick-head; cf. clot-head, n.
         266. dumb 1928–
              colloquial. North American. A foolish or stupid person.
         267. gazook 1928–
              A fool; a stupid or unpleasant person.
         268. mouldwarp 1928–
              U.S. regional. A stupid or worthless person.
         269. ding-dong 1929–
              slang (originally U.S.). A worthless, stupid, insane, or wildly eccentric person. Cf. dingbat, n. A.3.
         270. stupido 1929–
              Originally and chiefly in Italian-speaking contexts: a stupid person. Also used as a contemptuous form of address.
         271. mook 1930–
              colloquial and derogatory (U.S. and Caribbean). An incompetent or stupid person; a contemptible person (esp. with reference to low social status).
         272. sparrow-brain 1930–
              (A person with) a tiny brain, (a person of) limited intelligence or perception.
         273. knobhead 1931–
              Used as a disparaging term for a person. North American slang. A stupid or slow-witted person; a dolt, an idiot, a numbskull.
         274. dip 1932–
              A stupid, unremarkable, or contemptible person.
         275. drip 1932–
              A stupid, feeble, or dull person; a fool; a bore. slang.
         276. dumbo 1932–
              A stupid person; an idiot.
         277. epsilon 1932–
              A person of low intelligence.
         278. bohunkus 1933–
              A stupid, obnoxious, or worthless person. Often as a general term of abuse or contemptuous form of address. Cf. bohunk, n. A.2.
         279. diddy 1933–
              Chiefly Scottish. A fool, an idiot.
         280. dill 1933–
              A foolish or silly person; an idiot; a simpleton. Also: a victim of deception; a dupe (see quot. 1941).
         281. eight ball 1933–
              slang (originally Military). An unruly person; spec. a useless or insubordinate soldier.
         282. dumbass 1934–
              A foolish or pathetic person, an idiot; sometimes as a form of address to such a person. Also (and earliest) as a modifier: stupid, foolish, pathetic.
         283. zombie 1936–
              figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
         284. pea-brain 1938–
              colloquial (derogatory). A stupid or empty-headed person; an idiot, a fool; (also) the supposedly tiny brain of such a person.
         285. knot-head 1940–
              A stupid person (see also quot. 1940); also, a stupid horse.
         286. schlump 1941–
              A dull-witted, dejected, or talentless person; a fool.
         287. jarhead 1942–
              A foolish or stupid person.
         288. dillbrain 1943–
              A foolish or silly person; an idiot; = dill, n.⁶
         289. Joe Soap 1943–
              colloquial. Name applied to a ‘dumb’ person, a mug; also, more generally, a quite ordinary person, any person.
         290. nong 1944–
              Australian and New Zealand slang. A fool; a stupid or incompetent person. Cf. ning-nong, n., nong-nong, n.
         291. gobshite 1946–
              Chiefly Irish English. derogatory. A foolish, incompetent, or gullible person; a person who talks nonsense or speaks incessantly; a loudmouth.
         292. rock-head 1947–
              North American colloquial. Originally: a person whose head is said to be made of rock. Now usually: spec. a stupid person; blockhead, n. A.1. Cf. to…
         293. potato head 1948–
              disparaging. A person whose head is likened to a potato; a stupid person, a fool. Also: a person from an area known for the cultivation of…
         294. jerko 1949–
              A stupid, irritating, or deliberately obnoxious person; = jerk, n.¹ A.III.12. Frequently as a derogatory form of address.
         295. turkey 1951–
              U.S. slang. A stupid, slow, inept, or otherwise worthless person.
         296. momo 1953–
              An idiot; a stupid person.
         297. dumb-arse 1954–
              slang (derogatory). A foolish or ignorant person; a person of limited intelligence. Also used as a name or form of address for such a person.
         298. poop-head 1955–
              A stupid person.
         299. a right one 1958–
              colloquial (chiefly British and Irish English). As an intensifier (usually in derogatory and ironical contexts): complete, absolute, total…
         300. head-the-ball 1958–
              (A name for) a foolish or silly person, an idiot; (also) a crazy person, esp. one who is violent or unpredictable. Cf. bawheid, n. Used either depreciatively or affectionately, depending on the context.
         301. bam 1959–
              A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bampot, n.…
         302. nong-nong 1959–
              = nong, n. 2.
         303. dickhead 1960–
              A stupid, annoying, or objectionable person (esp. a male); one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious, provocative, or disruptive. Cf. dick…
         304. Herbert 1960–
              A stupid, ridiculous, or inconsequential person.
         305. bampot 1962–
              A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bam, n.², bam…
         306. dipshit 1963–
              coarse slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, inept, or contemptible person; an idiot.
         307. bamstick 1965–
              A foolish, annoying, or obnoxious person; (also spec.) a belligerent or disruptive person. Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. bam, n.², b…
         308. doofus 1965–
              A foolish or stupid person, an idiot; also as a general term of contempt. Cf. goofus, n.¹
         309. flip-out 1965–
              A person who suddenly loses control over his or her emotions or behaviour or who experiences (episodes of) extreme mental distress, esp. (in early…
         310. dick 1966–
              slang (originally U.S.). A stupid, annoying, or detestable person (esp. a male); one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious…
         311. pillock 1967–
              Chiefly British colloquial (mildly derogatory). A stupid person; a fool, an idiot.
         312. zipperhead 1967–
              U.S. slang. derogatory. A stupid person; an idiot.
         313. dipstick 1968–
              slang (originally U.S.). A stupid or obnoxious person. Cf. dipshit, n.
         314. flake 1968–
              One who is ‘flaky’ or liable to act in an eccentric or crazy manner, a ‘screwball’; also, a foolish, slow-witted, or unreliable person. slang…
         315. thickie 1968–
              = thick-head, n. 1a. Cf. thick, n. B.II.6.
         316. fuckwit 1969–
              coarse slang (originally Australian). A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot.
         317. poephol 1969–
              The anus; derogatory a stupid or unpleasant person.
         318. tattie-bogle 1969–
              = potato-bogle, n.; also figurative, a simpleton.
         319. yo-yo 1970–
              figurative or in figurative context. A stupid person, a fool. U.S. slang.
         320. doof 1971–
              = doofus, n.
         321. cockhead 1972–
              coarse slang. A stupid, annoying, or objectionable person (esp. a male); esp. one whose behaviour is considered knowingly obnoxious, provocative, or…
         322. divvy 1972–
              British (originally English regional (Liverpool)). A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
         323. nully 1973–
              A fool, a stupid person; a nobody.
         324. div 1975–
              A foolish or stupid person; an idiot.
         325. tube 1975–
              Scottish colloquial. Also in form choob. A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot. Frequently as a disparaging form of address.
         326. thicko 1976–
              = thick-head, n. 1a.
         327. wazzock 1976–
              A stupid or annoying person; an idiot.
         328. gonzo 1977–
              A crazy person, a fool.
         329. Nimrod 1977–
              North American slang. Usually with lower-case initial. A stupid or contemptible person; an idiot.
         330. motorhead 1979–
              An idiot, a fool.
         331. mouth-breather 1979–
              North American slang. A stupid person.
         332. no-brainer 1979–
              A foolish or unintelligent person or action.
         333. prannet 1979–
              An idiot.
         334. jerkwad 1980–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Also as a modifier as a more general term of contempt.
         335. twonk 1981–
              An idiot; a fool.
         336. pranny 1982–
              Originally: the female genitals. Later: an idiot.
         337. dickwad 1983–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Cf. jerkwad, n.
         338. dough ball 1983–
              colloquial (chiefly Scottish) Frequently in form doughball. A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
         339. dickweed 1984–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male).
         340. bawheid 1985–
              A person with a large round face; (also) a stupid person. Frequently as a term of mild abuse.
         341. numpty 1985–
              A stupid or foolish person; an idiot.
         342. dickass 1988–
              slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). An obnoxious or idiotic person (esp. a male).
         343. jerkweed 1988–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Often as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. dickweed, n., jerkwad, n.
         344. dick-sucker 1989–
              coarse slang. A stupid or obnoxious person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. cocksucker, n. 2.
         345. knob-end 1989–
              coarse slang (chiefly British). derogatory. An annoying, objectionable, or idiotic person; = knobhead, n. 2b. Cf. bell end, n. 3b.
         346. Muppet 1989–
              slang. An incompetent or ineffectual person; an idiot. Also (with less derogatory force): someone enthusiastic but inept; a person prone to mishaps…
         347. dickbag 1991–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male).
         348. dingus 1997–
              slang (originally and chiefly North American). A silly or inept person; a fool, an idiot.
         349. asshat 1998–
              A stupid or contemptible person.
         350. assclown 1999–
              A stupid or contemptible person.
         351. dicksack 1999–
              An obnoxious, detestable, or stupid person (esp. a male). Cf. dickbag, n.
         352. besom-head
              A foolish or stupid person, a blockhead.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. warlock Old English–1600
            A wicked or reprehensible person; a scoundrel. Also as a general term of reproach or abuse. Obsolete.
         2. swine c1175–
            derogatory. A person, typically a man, having one or more of the negative characteristics traditionally associated with pigs; esp. a greedy, lazy…
         3. beast c1225–
            A brutal, cruel, or wicked person. In early use also: †a stupid or foolish person (obsolete). Cf. brute, n.¹ B.2.
         4. wolf's-fist a1300–1611
            The puffball, Lycoperdon Bovista. Also used as a term of abuse.
         5. avetrol c1300–20
            An illegitimate child.
         6. congeon c1300–1430
            An offensive term of abuse or dislike.
         7. dirt c1300–
            Applied abusively to persons.
         8. slime c1315–
            figurative. Applied disparagingly to the human body, to man in general, or to single persons.
         9. snipe c1325–
            One or other of the limicoline birds of the genus Gallinago (formerly included in the Linnæan genus Scolopax), characterized by having a long…
         10. lurdan c1330–
             A general term of opprobrium, reproach, or abuse, implying either dullness and incapacity, or idleness and rascality; a sluggard, vagabond, ‘loafer’…
         11. misbeget c1330
             A misbegotten child.
         12. wretch c1330–
             Used as a term of opprobrious address.
         13. sorrow a1350–
             Chiefly poetic. Sorrow personified.
         14. shrew 1362–1507
             Used as a term of abuse: Wretch, villain.
         15. jordan 1377–
             Applied derisively to a person. (With the first quot. cf. the Latin uses of matula a vessel, pot; spec. a chamber-pot, urinal; figurative a term…
         16. wirling c1390–1881
             A puny or stunted person or creature; a despicable or contemptible person, a wretch. Also as a term of abuse. Cf. urling, n.²
         17. frog?a1400–
             A person likened to a frog. Usually as a term of abuse.
         18. wariangle a1400–50
             Used as a term of contemptuous abuse. rare.
         19. turd c1400–
             Chiefly derogatory. As a term of abuse: a worthless, unpleasant, or obnoxious person. Cf. shit, n. A.I.2. Also as a more general term of abuse.
         20. callet 1415–
             derogatory. A lascivious or sexually promiscuous woman; a prostitute. Also as a general term of abuse for a woman. Now archaic and English regional (northern).
         21. horcop c1440–1599
             An illegitimate child. Also as a term of abuse.
         22. lotterel a1450
             As a term of contempt: (probably) a rogue, a scoundrel.
         23. paddock?a1475–
             derogatory. A contemptible, mean, or spiteful person.
         24. souter 1478–1585
             Employed as a term of abuse. Obsolete.
         25. chuff?a1500–
             Generally applied opprobriously, with a fitting epithet, to any person disliked; esp. (a) a rude coarse churlish fellow; (b) a miser, a close…
         26. langbain?c1500
             Apparently: (a nickname for) a long-legged person; used as a term of abuse or contempt.
         27. cockatrice 1508–
             A malicious, treacherous, or destructive person. Now somewhat rare.
         28. sow 1508–
             Applied to persons (male or female) as a term of abuse, opprobrium, or reproach, esp. to a fat, clumsy, or slovenly woman.
         29. spink 1508
             Scottish. Used as an abusive epithet. Obsolete. rare.
         30. wilrone 1508–1842
             A wild boar.
         31. carline's pet?a1513–1600
             Used as a term of abuse for a person in satirical poetry and flytings in 16th-cent. Scotland (see quots.).
         32. rook?a1513–1890
             In extended use. A derogatory term for: a disreputable, greedy, garrulous, or slovenly person. Obsolete.
         33. streaker?a1513
             Scottish. A term of abuse for a person. Obsolete.
         34. dirt-dauber?1518–1647
             One who daubs or plasters with dirt or mud; a maker of cob-walls; also, a term of abuse. Obsolete.
         35. marmoset 1523–
             Extended uses. Applied to a man (derogatory or disparaging). Occasionally: a favourite, a minion. Now rare.
         36. babion a1529–1656
             A baboon or other monkey; (figurative) a stupid or foolish person (derogatory; cf. baboon, n. 3). Cf. bavian, n. 2.
         37. poll-hatchet a1529
             A poleaxe (in quots. 1529 and 1826 used as a term of abuse: cf. hatchet face, n.).
         38. cut?a1534–1820
             A term of abuse or contempt for a person; spec. a woman regarded as sexually promiscuous. Obsolete.
         39. bear-wolf 1542–1652
             A term of abuse for a person.
         40. misbegotten 1546–1647
             A person born outside marriage, an illegitimate person (also used as a term of abuse). Also (with the and plural agreement) such people as a class…
         41. pig 1546–
             derogatory. A boorish, coarse, obstinate, or disagreeable person or animal; (in later use esp.) a lecherous or sexist man.
         42. excrement 1561–
             As a term of abuse: a worthless, inferior, or unpleasant person. Cf. shit, n. A.I.2, turd, n. 3.
         43. mamzer 1562–
             A person conceived in a forbidden sexual union, esp. as defined by rabbinical tradition. Also in extended uses as a term of abuse or familiarity.
         44. chuff-cat 1563–
             chuff-cat n. Obsolete = chuff, n.¹ 2. chuff-headed adj. Obsolete with a big fat head. chuff-penny adj. Obsolete miserly, avaricious.
         45. varlet 1566–
             Employed as an abusive form of address.
         46. toad a1568–
             Applied opprobriously to human beings and animals.
         47. mandrake 1568–1676
             figurative. An unpleasant or unwanted person or thing; something to be rooted up, a pestilential growth. Obsolete.
         48. spider 1568–
             Applied to persons as an opprobrious or vituperative term.
         49. rat 1571–
             A dishonest, contemptible, or worthless person; spec. a man who is deceitful or disloyal in a romantic relationship (cf. love rat, n.).
         50. bull-beef 1573–
             The flesh of bulls, also †a term of abuse; esp. in to bluster like bull-beef, as big as bull-beef, etc.
         51. mole-catcher 1573–
             A person employed to catch moles. Frequently figurative and in various extended uses, esp. as a general term of abuse (perhaps originally: spec. †a…
         52. suppository 1573–1675
             figurative. Esp. as a term of personal abuse. Obsolete.
         53. curtal 1578–1637
             Applied to persons. A term of derision or opprobrium.
         54. spider-catcher 1579–
             One who catches spiders. Chiefly figurative, and frequently as a vague term of abuse (obsolete).
         55. bearbrat 1582
             A term of abuse for a person.
         56. mongrel a1585–
             A person of low or indeterminate status. Frequently as a term of contempt or abuse, esp. in early use. Occasionally in figurative context. derogatory…
         57. roit a1585–
             Scottish. derogatory. An excessively garrulous person; (in later use) esp. a quarrelsome and unruly woman.
         58. stickdirt a1585
             As a term of abuse.
         59. dogfish 1589–1858
             As a term of abuse or contempt for a person. Cf. dogface, n., dogfly, n. 2, dog fox, n. 1b. Obsolete.
         60. Poor John 1589–98
             As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
         61. dog's face c1590–
             A face like that of a dog (in early use as a term of abuse or reproach); = dogface, n. 1.
         62. dunghill raker 1591–
             A person who rakes through or rakes up refuse, esp. in search of things which may be reused, sold, or recycled (often used as a type of the lowest…
         63. tar-box a1592–1687
             Applied contemptuously to a person: = ‘stinking fellow’. Obsolete.
         64. baboon 1592–
             derogatory. A foolish, stupid, or contemptible person; (also) a person considered to resemble a baboon in appearance. Frequently as a term of abuse.
         65. pot-hunter 1592–1630
             cant. Perhaps: a sycophant, a parasite. Cf. barnacle, n.² 3b. Also as a more general term of abuse. Obsolete.
         66. venom 1592–1616
             Used in addressing persons. Obsolete. rare.
         67. porcupine 1594–
             figurative. A person or thing resembling or reminiscent of a porcupine, as being prickly, difficult to deal with, etc.; a prickly mass of things.
         68. lickfingers 1595–
             A greedy or self-interested person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address. Cf. lick-dish, n. 1. Now somewhat rare.
         69. mouldychaps 1595–1611
             derogatory. Obsolete. = mouldy chops, n.
         70. tripe 1595–
             Applied opprobriously or contemptuously to a person; also bag of tripe.
         71. conundrum 1596
             Applied abusively to a person. (? Pedant, crotchet-monger, or ninny.) Obsolete.
         72. fat-guts 1598–
             One having a big belly, used as a term of abuse, also attributive.
         73. thornback 1599
             figurative. Opprobriously applied to a person.
         74. land-rat 1600–
             A rat that lives on land. †Also used as a term of abuse.
         75. midriff 1600
             As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
         76. stinkard c1600–
             One who stinks. Formerly often used as a term of abuse. Now rare or Obsolete.
         77. tumbril 1601–1700
             figurative (derogatory). A person, or a person's mouth, likened to a dung cart, esp. in being foul or repulsive; (also) a drunk. Obsolete.
         78. lobster 1602–16
             An opprobrious name (? for a red-faced man).
         79. pilcher 1602–81
             Obsolete slang. derogatory. A term of abuse for: a person considered worthless, contemptible, or insignificant.
         80. windfucker?1602–67
             A talkative braggart; a windbag. Cf. windsucker, n.¹ 1. Obsolete.
         81. stinker 1607–
             = stinkard, n. 1 low slang. Also in weakened slang uses, esp. banteringly and in mock-contempt.
         82. hog rubber 1611–1835
             (Used contemptuously or as a term of abuse) a yokel; a country bumpkin.
         83. shad 1612–
             As a term of abuse. rare.
         84. splay-foot 1612–
             Used as a term of abuse.
         85. tim 1612–73
             A term of personal abuse.
         86. whit 1612
             As a term of contempt or abuse: an insignificant thing. Obsolete. rare.
         87. verdugo 1616–
             A hangman or executioner. Also employed as a term of abuse.
         88. renegado 1622
             As a term of abuse, without implication of treachery. Obsolete.
         89. fish face a1625–
             A person whose face is thought to resemble that of a fish. Usually as a nickname or term of abuse.
         90. flea-trap a1625–81
             In quot. an opprobrious epithet applied to a person.
         91. hound's head 1633
             Applied opprobriously to a person.
         92. mulligrub 1633–
             A sulky or ill-tempered person. Now English regional.
         93. nightmare 1633–1824
             As a term of abuse. Obsolete.
         94. toad's-guts 1634
             A term of abuse.
         95. bitch-baby 1638
             (Apparently) used as a term of abuse for a person; cf. son of a bitch, n. A.1a.
         96. custard-pate 1639–1703
             A term of reproach or abuse for a person.
         97. shagamuffin 1642
             A term of abuse.
         98. shit-breech 1648–
             coarse slang. A person who defecates in his breeches (frequently used as a term of abuse). Also: a small child. Also attributive.
         99. shitabed 1653–
             rare. coarse slang. a. (A term of abuse for) a lazy or worthless person; b. English regional (southern) the dandelion, Taraxacum officinale (now historical).
         100. snite 1653
              As a term of abuse. Obsolete. Cf. snipe, n. 3.
         101. pissabed 1672–
              derogatory. A bed-wetter. Also as a more general term of abuse.
         102. bastard 1675–
              slang or colloquial. Used as a term of abuse or contempt for a person (esp. a man or boy), now esp. for someone who is callous or wilfully cruel, or…
         103. swab 1687–
              †a. = swabber, n.¹ 1. Obsolete. b. A term of abuse or (now often mild) contempt: cf. swabber, n.¹ 2.
         104. tar-barrel 1695
              Applied opprobriously to a person. Cf. tar-box, n. b. Obsolete.
         105. runt 1699–
              figurative. A short person of thickset build; a small or undersized person. Also as a term of abuse.
         106. whore's kitling 1699–
              The child of a whore; an illegitimate child; (also) as a general term of abuse or contempt.
         107. fat-face 1740–
              a. A term of abuse; b. Typography less commonly fat letter (see quot. 1841), and attributive.
         108. shit-sack 1769–
              coarse slang. A detestable person (originally spec. as an opprobrious name applied to nonconformists: see shick-shack, n.).
         109. vagabond 1842–
              Used as a term of reproof or abuse.
         110. shick-shack 1847–
              Apparently originally used as a term of abuse for persons who were found not wearing the customary oak-apple or sprig of oak on the morning of…
         111. soor 1848–
              A term of abuse for a person: pig, swine.
         112. b 1851–
              Bugger (or bastard) (as a euphemism, sometimes printed b——).
         113. stink-pot 1854–
              A term of abuse for a person or (rarely) a thing. slang.
         114. molie 1871–
              A mole-catcher; frequently as a familiar name. Cf. mowdie, n. 2.
         115. pig-dog 1871–
              derogatory. A contemptible person.
         116. schweinhund 1871–
              A despicable, troublesome, or unpleasant person. Often as an abusive form of address. Chiefly used where the speaker or referent is German. Cf. swin…
         117. fucker 1893–
              coarse slang. A foolish or despicable person (cf. earlier windfucker, n. 2). Also more broadly: a person, a fellow.
         118. cocksucker 1894–
              coarse slang. A stupid or obnoxious person. Frequently as a contemptuous form of address.
         119. dry-blower 1895–
              a. A gold-miner; b. used as a term of opprobrium; c. (see quot. 1964).
         120. wart 1896–
              colloquial. An obnoxious or objectionable person.
         121. so-and-so 1897–
              Used euphemistically as a term of abuse for a person (occasionally a thing). Also, with weakened force, as a term of affection.
         122. swine-hound 1899–
              A despicable, troublesome, or unpleasant person; cf. schweinhund, n., swine-dog, n.
         123. motherfucker 1918–
              coarse slang (originally and chiefly North American). With negative connotation. An obnoxious, despicable, or contemptible person; a very unpleasant person. Frequently as a term of abuse.
         124. S.O.B. 1918–
              Son of a bitch, also silly old bastard, etc.
         125. mong 1926–
              In extended use: a despicable person. Cf. mongrel, n. A.II.5a.
         126. mucker 1929–
              = fucker, n. (as a term of abuse).
         127. twat 1929–
              As a term of abuse: a contemptible or obnoxious person; a person who behaves stupidly; a fool, an idiot. Now chiefly British. The force of this term can vary widely. Especially when applied to a woman, it can be as derogatory and offensive as the term cunt (cunt, n. 2a), but it can also be used (especially of men) as a milder form of abuse without conscious reference to the female genitals, often implying that a person's behaviour, appearance, etc., is stupid or idiotic, with little or no greater force than twit (twit, n.¹ 2b).
         128. windsucker 1931–
              A talkative or boastful person; a windbag. Later more generally: a disreputable person.
         129. basket 1936–
              Euphemistic alteration of bastard (esp. in sense 1c). slang.
         130. cowson 1936–
              Used as an opprobrious epithet or term of abuse.
         131. zombie 1936–
              figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
         132. meatball 1937–
              slang (chiefly North American). An unintelligent, boring, or ineffectual person, esp. one with a muscular physique.
         133. shower 1943–
              colloquial (chiefly British, originally Military slang). A worthless or contemptible person.
         134. chickenshit 1945–
              coarse slang (originally U.S. Military). (A name for) a person who adheres very closely to rules, or who is afraid to break them; a cowardly or despicable person.
         135. mugger 1945–
              A man, a fellow; = bugger, n.¹ 3a. Also (in imprecations): = bugger, n.¹ phrases P.1.
         136. motherferyer 1946–
              = motherfucker, n. 1a.
         137. wheygoose 1949–
              Used as a term of opprobrium.
         138. hooer 1952–
              Australian and New Zealand colloquial (frequently derogatory). An unpleasant or contemptible person (esp. a man) or thing. Also in weakened sense, as a mildly dismissive term for a person or thing, sometimes…
         139. morpion 1954–
              In extended use, as a term of abuse. rare.
         140. mother 1955–
              slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). = motherfucker, n. (in various senses).
         141. erk 1959–
              transferred. Used as a term of contempt.
         142. mother-raper 1959–
         143. louser 1960–
              One who spoils things: used as a general term of abuse. Also louser-up n.
         144. effer 1961–
              slang. = fucker, n. 2.
         145. salaud 1962–
              A French term of abuse: filthy beast, ‘swine’.
         146. gunk 1964–
              A derogatory term for a person. slang.
         147. scunge 1967–
              As a vague term of abuse.
         148. she-ass 1991–
              A female ass; also figurative, as a derogatory term.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
         1. thickskin 1582–
            One who has a thick skin; a person dull or slow of feeling. Also attributive.
         2. insensible a1618–1802
            (From A. II.) (a) A thing or person incapable of feeling; an inanimate thing; an apathetic person; (b) a person destitute of sense, a fool.
         3. unnaturalist 1623–1835
            A person lacking natural feeling or moral sense. Obsolete.
         4. non-sensitive 1628
            A thing without feeling. Obsolete. rare.
         5. apathist 1640–
            A person who is much inclined to apathy, one sunk in stolid indifference.
         6. stick 1801–
            A dull or awkward person, one who lacks geniality or liveliness. Also: a person who is unskilled or inept at something; (Theatre) an unconvincing…
         7. soulless 1824–
            With the and plural agreement: soulless people collectively.
         8. zombie 1936–
            figurative. colloquial. A dull, apathetic, unresponsive, or unthinkingly acquiescent person. Also as a general term of disparagement.
         View in Historical Thesaurus
      2. I.3.b.
         1942–
         Canadian Military slang. In the Second World War (1939–45): (a derogatory nickname for) a man conscripted for home defence under the National Resources Mobilization Act of 1940, as distinct from a volunteer for active service overseas. Chiefly in plural. Now historical.
         1. 1942

            > It is a matter of common knowledge that they [sc. military conscripts] are called ‘zombies’ by the other chaps in camp.

            Canadian Statesman (Bowmanville, Ontario) 29 January 6/3
         2. 1946

            > My old man says Quebec or no Quebec they'll have to send the Zombies over.

            R. Allen, Home Made Banners xiii. 163
         3. 2016

            > By 1944 the ranks of the zombies did contain a larger proportion of French-speaking conscripts and men from other non-British backgrounds than among the national population.

            D. T. Byers, Zombie Army vi. 170
         military Canadian English colloquial and slang historical
         1. fencible 1796–
            A soldier liable only for defensive service at home. Also, land-fencible, river-fencible, sea-fencible.
         2. zombie 1942–
            Canadian Military slang. In the Second World War (1939–45): (a derogatory nickname for) a man conscripted for home defence under the National…
         View in Historical Thesaurus
   4. I.4.
      1974–
      Philosophy. A hypothetical being which responds to stimuli in the same way as a normal person, but which lacks conscious experience.
      1. 1974

         > If the argument is sound, then the causal analysis fails to provide a basis for rejecting the logical possibility of Zombies, because it fails to take account of some of the phenomena necessarily involved in sentience.

         R. Kirk in Mind vol. 83 55
      2. 1994

         > An intentional zombie is a creature which has intentional states but has and can have no conscious states at all.

         Philosophical & Phenomenological Research vol. 54 837
      3. 2016

         > If zombies are logically possible, the argument goes, conscious experience cannot be physical.

         Behavior & Philosophy vol. 43 9
      philosophy
2. II.
   Extended and other uses.
   1. II.5.
      1938–
      Originally U.S. A long cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice.
      1. 1938

         > At the Beachcombers' club they all had fun at Sampascoopie's expense when I gulped a ‘Zombie’... It is made of five different kinds of rum.

         Lowell (Massachusetts) Sun 27 August 4/3
      2. 1968

         > The bartender..went off to prepare a zombie. Forbes hated zombies, but it was the longest drink that came to mind.

         J. M. Ullman, Lady on Fire vi. 80
      3. 2019

         > Let's drink a zombie from a cocoa shell!

         @SheilaDelutri 1 October in twitter.com (accessed 7 Dec. 2020)
      drink U.S. English
      1. bumbo 1701–
         An alcoholic drink made from spirits (originally rum), sugar, and water, often with additional flavourings such as fruits and spices.
      2. rum cocktail 1841–
         A cocktail in which the principal ingredient is rum.
      3. silky 1852–
         Of liquor: Having a soft delicate taste.
      4. planter's punch 1878–
         A cocktail containing rum, fruit juices, and sugar.
      5. daiquiri 1920–
         A cocktail containing rum, lime, etc.
      6. piña colada 1920–
         A long cocktail made with pineapple juice, rum, and coconut.
      7. presidente 1928–
         A Cuban cocktail made from white rum, vermouth, grenadine, and curaçao.
      8. Cuba libre 1929–
         Originally: any of various drinks consumed in or associated with Cuba during the Cuban war of independence (see etymology). Later: a cocktail made…
      9. mojito 1934–
         A cocktail originating in Cuba and consisting of white rum, lime or lemon juice, sugar, fresh mint, ice, and carbonated or soda water.
      10. zombie 1938–
          Originally U.S. A long cocktail consisting of several kinds of rum, liqueur, and fruit juice.
      11. mai tai?c1950–
          A cocktail based on light rum, with added curaçao and fruit juices.
      12. Dark and Stormy 1983–
          A cocktail made with dark rum and ginger beer poured over ice, and usually garnished with a slice of lime. In form Dark 'n Stormy a proprietary name.
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   2. II.6.
      1985–
      Finance. A failing bank, business, etc., which relies on financial assistance from the government to continue operating. Also: a person who or company which is only able to repay the interest on a debt but not the debt itself. Frequently more fully as zombie bank, zombie debtor, etc.
      1. 1985

         > Large parts of the oil industry, the zombies of the savings, banking and insurance world (still stumbling along but long since dead in terms of true solvency).

         Financial Times 28 September (Weekend FT section) 1/1
      2. 1986

         > The fact that ‘zombie’ thrifts are allowed to survive creates serious problems for other, healthier thrifts as well as for bank intermediaries. The zombies tend to bid up the price of deposits, victimizing their neighbors.

         American Banker (Nexis) 8 April 1
      3. 1998

         > He cut short-term rates sharply in 1990 to bail out Citibank and other zombie banks that were awash in bad loans but were too big to be allowed to fail.

         Washington Post 1 December d3/1
      4. 2012

         > One in six people was a ‘zombie debtor’, only able to service the interest on their debts and not reduce them.

         Daily Echo (Nexis) 25 April
      finance
      1. bankrupt 1533–1811
         A person who defrauds his or her creditors or avoids paying his or her debts. Also: a person whose debts are the result of reckless expenditure. Obs…
      2. mortgager 1607–
         A person who mortgages property; the borrower in a mortgage; = mortgagor, n. Also occasionally (in popular use): the creditor or lender in a…
      3. Alsatian 1688–
         An inhabitant of Alsatia (Alsatia, n. 1) in London; a criminal. Now historical.
      4. Minter 1699–1839
         A person living in the precincts of the former mint in Southwark, London, a reputed sanctuary for debtors. Cf. mint, n.¹ 2d.
      5. abbey laird 1700–
         An insolvent debtor taking sanctuary in the precincts of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh. Cf. abbey, n. 3.
      6. judgment debtor 1749–
         A person owing a judgment debt.
      7. peon 1826–
         In Latin America and the south-western United States: an unskilled farmworker or day labourer under the charge of a foreman or overseer; spec. (esp…
      8. poor debtor 1831–
         One who owes or is indebted to another. poor debtor (U.S.): One who, being imprisoned in a civil action for debt, is, under the laws of several…
      9. overdrawer 1906–
         A person, business, etc., who overdraws a bank account or who has an overdraft.
      10. zombie 1985–
          Finance. A failing bank, business, etc., which relies on financial assistance from the government to continue operating. Also: a person who or…
      View in Historical Thesaurus
   3. II.7.
      1999–
      Computing. A computer or computer network infected with malicious software and controlled without the owner's knowledge, typically used to send spam, perform distributed denial of service attacks, etc. Frequently more fully as zombie computer, zombie network, etc. Cf. botnet n. (b).
      1. [1996

         > In an age of colorful, network-based threats such as viruses, worms, freeloaders, and zombies, there is amply justified reluctance to blindly execute unknown code.

         Digest Papers COMPCON '96 58/2]
      2. 1999

         > The hackers are gaining control of as many as thousands of vulnerable zombie computers in order to magnify and direct their full-scale assault against a single victim from all directions.

         Infoworld Daily News (Nexis) 9 December
      3. 2000

         > The group of machines used for the attack—sometimes called a zombie network—can be anywhere in the Internet, and consists of machines that have security weaknesses due to misconfiguration etc.

         Computer Weekly 2 March 44/3
      4. 2002

         > The zombie then transmits a massive amount of packets of useless data to a specific Web site, thus clogging it up and achieving a denial of service attack.

         P. Lilley, Hacked, Attacked, & Abused 200
      5. 2013

         > A ‘zombie computer’ is one that, unknown to its owner, has been infected with malicious software that allows a distant ‘zombie master’ to control it, along with potentially thousands of other machines similarly affected.

         T. Chatfield, Netymology xxxix. 121
      computing

## Pronunciation

### British English

/ˈzɒmbi/
ZOM-bee

### U.S. English

/ˈzɑmbi/
ZAHM-bee

### Caribbean English

/ˈzɑmbi/

####

##### 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.

####

##### Consonants

- ppea
- ttea, thaw
- kkey
- bbuy
- ddye, thee
- ɡguy
- tʃchore
- dʒjay
- ffore
- ssore
- ʃshore
- vvee
- zzee
- ʒbeige
- hhay
- llay
- 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 as in British and US English.

##### Vowels

- iːfleece
- ihappy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- atrap, ago
- aːpalm, bath, thought
- aː(r)start
- ɑlot, cloth
- ʌstrut, letter
- ʊfoot
- uːgoose
- oːgoat
- ɔːthought
- oː(r)north, force, cure
- ɜː(r)nurse
- eː(r)square, near
- aʊmouth
- ɔʊmouth
- eːface
- aipride, voice
- ɔivoice
- ãsoucouyant
- ɑ̃salon

##### 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

## Forms

### Variant forms

1. 1700s–
   zombie
2. 1800s–
   zombi
3. 1900s–
   zomby

## Frequency

zombie typically occurs about 0.6 times per million words in modern written English.

zombie is in frequency band 4, which contains words occurring between 0.1 and 1 times per million words in modern written English. More about OED's frequency bands

Frequency data is computed programmatically, and should be regarded as an estimate.

### Frequency of zombie, n., 1830–2010

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Historical frequency series are derived from Google Books Ngrams (version 2), a data set based on the Google Books corpus of several million books printed in English between 1500 and 2010.

The overall frequency for a given word is calculated by summing frequencies for the main form of the word, any plural or inflected forms, and any major spelling variations.

For sets of homographs (distinct entries that share the same word-form, e.g. mole, n.¹, mole, n.², mole, n.³, etc.), we have estimated the frequency of each homograph entry as a fraction of the total Ngrams frequency for the word-form. This may result in inaccuracies.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the Google Books corpus.

Decade | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
1830 | 0.00009
1840 | 0.00007
1850 | 0.00009
1860 | 0.0001
1870 | 0.0002
1880 | 0.0003
1890 | 0.0003
1900 | 0.0047
1910 | 0.0071
1920 | 0.018
1930 | 0.035
1940 | 0.057
1950 | 0.1
1960 | 0.19
1970 | 0.29
1980 | 0.49
1990 | 0.69
2000 | 0.8
2010 | 0.92

### Frequency of zombie, n., 2017–2024

* Occurrences per million words in written English

Modern frequency series are derived from a corpus of 20 billion words, covering the period from 2017 to the present. The corpus is mainly compiled from online news sources, and covers all major varieties of World English.

Smoothing has been applied to series for lower-frequency words, using a moving-average algorithm. This reduces short-term fluctuations, which may be produced by variability in the content of the corpus.

Period | Frequency per million words
--- | ---
2017 | 5.9
2018 | 6.0
2019 | 5.3
2020 | 5.0
2021 | 4.4
2022 | 4.7
2023 | 4.7
2024 | 4.9

## Compounds & derived words

Sort by

1. zombieism, n. 1932–

1. zombie-like, adj. & adv. 1932–
   Characteristic of or resembling (that of) a…

1. zombie-esque, adj. 1946–
   Resembling or suggestive of a zombie; zombie-like.

1. zombify, v. 1950–
   transitive. To transform into a zombie. Chiefly…

1. zomboid, adj. 1963–
   Resembling or suggestive of a zombie; zombie-like.

1. zombied, adj. 1972–
   = zombified, adj. Also with out.

1. zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–
   An imaginary event (as in a film, etc.) in which…

1. zom-com, n. 2004–
   A comedy film featuring zombie characters.

1. zombie worm, n. 2005–
   Any of various marine (chiefly deep-sea)…

1. C.1.
   1937–
   In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
   1. 1937

      > Revolt of the Zombies... Another mighty ‘Zombie’ Story.

      Daily Mail (Hull) 22 April (Last edition) 3/3 (advertisement)
   2. 1958

      > The breathing zombie orchestra around her.

      A. Wilson, Middle Age of Mrs Eliot i. 77
   3. 1966

      > A dream-sequence in a cemetery with zombie-hands sprouting like crocuses.

      New Statesman 14 January 58/3
   4. 1976

      > He could send home, when the time came, some zombie replica of himself.

      D. Lodge, Changing Places (new edition) v. 162
   5. 2015

      > In this cheap and cheerfully violent zombie movie from Australia, the coming of the living dead coincides with a mysterious fuel shortage.

      Sunday Times (Nexis) 10 May (Culture section) 12
   1. unfeeling Old English–
      Having no feeling or sensation, insensible; figurative not sensitive to impressions, etc.
   2. mis-feeling a1382
      Foolish, unwise; senseless.
   3. stonish c1450–1551
      Resembling, or having the character of, stone; stony. (Chiefly figurative.)
   4. unpainful c1450–1582
      Not subject to pain. Obsolete.
   5. obtuse 1509–
      figurative. Annoyingly unperceptive or slow to understand; stupid; insensitive. Also, of a remark, action, etc.: exhibiting dullness, stupidity or…
   6. sprightless a1522–
      Lacking spirit; characterized by lack of animation, liveliness, or energy; (esp. of a person or animal) lacking courage or (now usually)…
   7. insensate 1553–
      Wanting in mental or moral feeling; devoid of sensibility; unaffected, unmoved; unfeeling. (Of persons, or their qualities, actions, etc.)
   8. senseless 1560–
      Without sense, awareness, or consciousness of something. Also: incapable of sympathetic or emotional responsiveness; insensitive; unfeeling. Now rare.
   9. soulless 1568–
      Of a person: lacking spirit, sensitivity, or other qualities regarded as elevated or human; (now esp.) lacking in human warmth, feeling, or…
   10. dull-esprited 1591
       In dull-esprited = dull-spirited.
   11. impassible 1592–
       Incapable of feeling or emotion; impassive, insensible, unimpressible.
   12. dead-hearted 1596–
       Lacking feeling or emotion; impassive; unfeeling, callous.
   13. bluntie 1598–
       Of blunt nature or tendency.
   14. impenetrable 1600–
       Impervious to intellectual or moral influences, impressions, or ideas.
   15. stockish 1600–
       Resembling a stock or block of wood; esp. of a person, excessively dull, stupid or ‘wooden’.
   16. stolid c1600–
       Dull and impassive; having little or no sensibility; incapable of being excited or moved. Also of actions, demeanour, expression of countenance, etc.
   17. incapable 1601–
       Unable or unfit to receive so as to be affected or influenced by; not open to or susceptible of; unable to ‘take in’ so as to realize, insensible…
   18. stupid 1605–
       Emotionally, morally, or spiritually dull, numb, or indifferent; lacking in natural feeling, moral sense, or spiritual awareness. Often with to. Now…
   19. tasteless 1605–
       Destitute of the sense of taste; unable to taste. Also figurative. Now rare.
   20. unsensitive 1610–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 1).
   21. unexalted 1611–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
   22. insensible 1617–
       Incapable or destitute of feeling or emotion; emotionless, callous, apathetic.
   23. unsensible 1619–
       = insensible, adj. A.II.4b.
   24. languid 1622–
       Of a person, a person's character, actions, emotions, etc.: not easily inspired to emotion, exhibiting only faint interest or concern; spiritless…
   25. immovable 1639–
       Incapable of being stirred or affected with feeling; emotionless, impassive.
   26. sterile 1642–
       Mentally or spiritually barren. Also, unproductive of results; fruitless; barren in or of (something sought or desired).
   27. resupine 1643–65
       Listless, apathetic. Obsolete. rare.
   28. unaffectionate 1645
       Not endowed with feeling. Obsolete. rare.
   29. iron-bound 1648–
       figurative. Firm, impregnable; rigidly confined or restricted; unyielding, inflexible.
   30. resentless a1649–1827
       Devoid of feeling or affection. Obsolete.
   31. torpid 1656–
       figurative. Wanting in animation or vigour; inactive; slow, sluggish; dull; stupefied; apathetic.
   32. torpulent 1657
       Torpid.
   33. impassive 1699–
       Deficient in, or void of, mental feeling or emotion; not susceptible to mental impressions; unimpressionable, apathetic; also, in good sense, not…
   34. unreceptive 1722–
       Not receptive, esp. to new suggestions or ideas.
   35. hebete 1743–
       Dull, stupid, obtuse.
   36. apathetic 1744–
       Of, or pertaining to, apathy; insensible to suffering or emotion generally; unemotional; indifferent to what is calculated to move the feelings or…
   37. stubbed 1744
       figurative. Dull, not delicate or sensitive. Obsolete.
   38. gustless 1766
       Having no sense of taste or appetite.
   39. unresponsive 1768–
       Not responsive; that does not or cannot respond to an action, touch, etc.
   40. unsusceptible 1779–
       Not readily liable to impressions; = insusceptible, adj. c.
   41. tideless-blooded 1786–
       Whose blood is unstirred by passion or emotion.
   42. unaffectioned 1788–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 2.)
   43. inaccessible 1796–
       Of an emotion, a concept, etc.: that is impossible to apprehend or get in touch with. Also with to.
   44. hebetudinous 1820–
       Inclined to hebetude; dull, obtuse.
   45. unimpressible 1828–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
   46. insensitive 1834–
       Destitute of, or wanting in, mental or moral sensitiveness; having no quickness of feeling; not susceptible of impression. Const. to.
   47. apathetical 1835–
       = apathetic, adj.
   48. non-sensitive 1836–
       Not sensitive, insensitive.
   49. impermeable 1844–
       figurative. Of a person, the mind, etc.: not open or receptive to new ideas, arguments, etc.; not susceptible to emotion. Chiefly in predicative use…
   50. blunt-hearted 1845–
   51. irreceptive 1846–
       Not receptive; incapable of receiving; unreceptive.
   52. unreceptant 1846
       Unreceptive, unreceiving.
   53. unimpressionable 1847–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 1b.)
   54. anaesthetic 1854–
       figurative. Mentally, emotionally, or spiritually numb (to something); unfeeling, emotionless.
   55. insentient 1860–
       Devoid of mental feeling; indifferent. rare.
   56. hard (also tough, sharp) as nails 1862–
       In comparisons, as hard (also tough, sharp) as nails.
   57. unsqueamish 1893–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 1.)
   58. tone-deaf 1894–
       Deaf to the tones of music; also transferred and figurative, insensitive, lacking in perception.
   59. unget-at-able 1897–
       (un-, prefix¹ affix 1b.)
   60. facty 1901–
       That knows many facts, interested (only) in facts.
   61. sun-extinct 1929
       Inwardly dead.
   62. zombie 1937–
       In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
   63. pegamoid 1957–
       Made of pegamoid. Also figurative: impassive, impervious, not susceptible to emotion.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
   1. lousy c1386–
      figurative. Dirty, filthy, obscene. Also as a general term of abuse: Mean, scurvy, sorry, vile, contemptible. Also, inferior, poor, bad; ill; in…
   2. greasy a1529–
      As a contemptuous or abusive epithet.
   3. mongrel a1594–
      Of a person: worthless, contemptible. Occasionally in figurative context. derogatory (now chiefly Australian).
   4. shake rotten 1595
      A term of abuse.
   5. strummell-patch 1600
      A contemptuous epithet for a person.
   6. thornbackly 1605
      Of the nature of a thornback: cf. thornback, n. 1c.
   7. toad-spotted 1608–
   8. pissabed 1643–
      derogatory. That wets the bed; (more generally) despicable, contemptible. Now rare.
   9. shit-breeched 1664
   10. shit-breech 1675–
       coarse slang. That is a shit-breech.
   11. mole-catching 1693
       Designating a person who catches moles. In quot. 1693 figurative: designating a man who seeks out and seduces women; womanizing, philandering.
   12. nine-eyed 1694–
       Having nine eyes.
   13. poxy a1758–
       Infected with pox; spotty. Now in weakened colloquial use (chiefly British): of poor quality, useless, worthless (frequently as a general term of…
   14. cocksucking 1872–
       coarse slang. Designating a contemptible or despicable person or thing (also as an intensifier); (sometimes literal) designating a person who practises fellatio.
   15. bastard 1877–
       colloquial. Used as an intensifier, typically expressing annoyance, contempt, hostility, etc., on the part of the speaker. Cf. sense A.I.2.
   16. motherfucking 1890–
       coarse slang (originally and chiefly North American). Despicable, obnoxious, contemptible, damnable. Used esp. as an intensifier.
   17. son-of-a-bitching 1902–
       Despicable, obnoxious, contemptible (used esp. as an intensifier).
   18. so-and-so 1929–
       euphemistic as a term of abuse.
   19. mother-raping 1932–
   20. pigshit 1934–
       coarse slang (originally U.S.). a. adj. Worthless, trashy; used as a general term of abuse; b. n. rubbish, nonsense (cf. bullshit, n.); (literal) pig manure.
   21. zombie 1937–
       In general use as a modifier, esp. in sense I.2b.
   22. chickenshit 1940–
       coarse slang (originally U.S. Military). Worthless, contemptible.
   23. pissy-arsed 1940–
       coarse slang. Drunk; given to drinking too much; also in more general pejorative use.
   24. bastarding 1944–
       Used as an intensifier, typically expressing annoyance, contempt, hostility, etc., on the part of the speaker. Cf. bloody, adj. A.8a, sodding, adj.
   25. mother-loving 1948–
       slang (originally and chiefly U.S.) (euphemistic). = motherfucking, adj.
   26. mothering 1951–
       slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). euphemistic. = motherfucking, adj.
   View in Historical Thesaurus
2. C.2.
   1. zombie apocalypse, n. 1982–
      An imaginary event (as in a film, etc.) in which…
   1. zombie worm, n. 2005–
      Any of various marine (chiefly deep-sea)…

zombie, n. was revised in September 2021.

zombie, n. was last modified in June 2025.