zom-comnoun
Factsheet
What does the noun zom-com mean?
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun zom-com. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definition, usage, and quotation evidence.
How is the noun zom-com pronounced?
British English
U.S. English
Where does the noun zom-com come from?
Earliest known use
2000s
The earliest known use of the noun zom-com is in the 2000s.
OED's earliest evidence for zom-com is from 2004, in Campaign.
zom-com is formed within English, by compounding.
Etymons: zombie n., comedy n.1
Nearby entries
- zombie apocalypse, n.1982–
- zombied, adj.1972–
- zombie-esque, adj.1946–
- zombie-like, adj. & adv.1932–
- zombie worm, n.2005–
- zombification, n.1968–
- zombified, adj.1965–
- zombify, v.1950–
- zombocalypse, n.2007–
- zomboid, adj.1963–
- zom-com, n.2004–
- zomotherapeutic, adj.1900–
- zomotherapy, n.1900–
- zona, n.1706–
- zona ignea, n.1818–
- zonal, adj.1867–
- zonality, n.1909–
- zonally, adv.1873–
- zonal marking, n.1958–
- zona pellucida, n.1841–
- zona radiata, n.1881–
Etymology
Meaning & use
- 2004–A comedy film featuring zombie characters.
- 2004
Two zombie films released within weeks of each other... We'd call them zom coms but unfortunately the US offering..forgot to add in the humour.
Campaign 2 April 10/1 - 2019
Anna And The Apocalypse..[is] an irresistible recent addition to the Christmas movie canon... Even with the recent oversaturation of zom-coms, this one finds a very specific niche and absolutely dominates it.
Newstex Blogs (Nexis) 23 December
- romantic comedy1748–(Originally) a comedy having qualities associated with a literary romance (cf. romantic, adj. A.1a); (subsequently also) a film or other work…
- epic1785–A book, film, or other creative work resembling or likened to a traditional epic, esp. in portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an…
- dramatization1796–A dramatized version of a literary work. Also: a play, film, etc., that takes an actual event or situation as its subject.
- pre-release1871–A release in advance; esp. a film, record, etc., given restricted availability before being generally released.
- war1897–As a modifier designating literary or artistic works relating to war, or their creators, as in war ballad, war book, war epic, war film, war history…
- foreign film1899–A film produced in a foreign country, now esp. one that requires the addition of subtitles or dubbing; a foreign-language film (also used as a…
- frivol1903–Something frivolous, (an instance of) frivolity; a frivolous or light-hearted event, etc. (esp. a literary or cinematographic production); also, a…
- dramedy1905–A work of art exhibiting qualities of both drama and comedy. In later use: spec. a television programme or film in which the comedic elements are…
- film loop1906–a. A slack length of film, forming a loop, necessary for the smooth running of a film strip in a projector; = loop, n.¹ 4i; b. a (short) film spliced…
- drama1909–A television or radio programme, or a film, which tells a story by means of dialogue and action in a similar manner to a theatrical play, and…
- first run1910–a. adj. Designating a film being shown for the first time or a cinema in which films are normally first shown; b. n. the first showing or première…
- detective film1911–
- colour film1912–A cinema film (or formerly a photograph) produced in natural colours.
- news film1912–
- topical1912–A film dealing with topical events. (Now disused.)
- cinemicrograph1913–A moving image of a microscopic object, process, etc., typically obtained by means of time-lapse photography. Cf. cinemicrography, n.
- scenario production1913–a. The production of film scripts or scenarios; b. = scenario picture, n. (now rare).
- scenic1913–A film whose subject is natural scenery, or a series of photographs of natural scenery shown as a film; (more generally) a text, painting…
- sport1913–A cinematographic film about sport. rare.
- newsreel1914–A short cinema film dealing with news and current affairs. Also in extended use.
- serial1914–A film drama shown in cinemas in sequential instalments. Cf. cliffhanger, n. Now historical.
- scenario picture1915–A film for which a plot and storyline are created, as opposed to a documentary or factual film; also figurative.
- sex comedy1915–A play, film, or television programme which combines erotic and comic elements, or whose plot centres on romantic relationships or sexual encounters.
- telefilm1919–A film or motion picture, esp. one shown on television or one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema.
- comic1920–A comic film, animation, or programme for cinema or television, esp. a cinematic short shown before the feature film.
- prequel1922–A book, film, etc., narrating events which precede those of an already existing work.
- true crime1923–A genre of writing, film, etc., in which real crimes are examined or portrayed; cf. true, adj. A.II.4c; frequently (and in earliest use) attributive.
- art house1925–A cinema which specializes in films of artistic rather than commercial appeal, esp. foreign, experimental, or independent films. Hence: this style…
- A novel, film, etc., in the thriller genre which focuses on the psychology of its characters, or which psychologically manipulates its audience or…
- quickie1926–A film or television programme that is made quickly and cheaply. Cf. quota quickie, n.
- turkey1927–U.S. slang. An inferior or unsuccessful cinematographic or theatrical production, a flop; hence, anything disappointing or of little value.
- two-reeler1928–
- cheapie1929–A film (or occasionally a book) produced on a low budget (cf. cheapo, n. A.2b).
- smellie1929–A (hypothetical) cinema or television film in which smell is synchronized with the picture. Usually plural. Cf. feelie, n.
- disaster film1930–a. A factual film concerning a disaster (now rare); b. a film whose plot centres on a disaster, esp. one involving many people; such films as a…
- musical1930–Originally U.S. A play or film in which singing and dancing play an essential part; a musical comedy.
- feelie1931–A (hypothetical) motion picture augmented by tactile effects which are felt by the viewer. Chiefly in plural (frequently with the): the screening of…
- sticky1934–A slow-moving film.
- action comedy1936–A film or television programme which blends comedy with a lively plot and fast-paced action; cf. action film, n., situation comedy, n.
- quota quickie1936–= quota film, n.
- re-release1936–A recording or film that is re-released, esp. a recording that is released on a different format from before.
- screwball comedy1937–a. A comedy film of a type first produced in the United States in the 1930s, with a fast-moving, irreverent style, typically featuring eccentric…
- story film1937–A film that tells a story, esp. a fictional feature film.
- telemovie1937–A film shown on television, esp. one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema; cf. telefilm, n. 1.
- disaster movie1939–A film whose plot centres on a disaster, esp. one involving many people; such films as a genre.
- pickup1939–Film (originally U.S.). A film, or film footage, which is made by one company and acquired (for distribution, etc.) by another.
- video film1939–a. U.S. cinematographic film used to pre-record television programmes (rare); b. U.S. (now disused) a cinematographic film of a television broadcast…
- actioner1940–colloquial. An action film.
- space opera1941–A science fiction story or drama set in space; space fiction esp. of an unsophisticated or clichéd type.
- telepic1944–A film shown on television, esp. one made for that medium rather than for release at the cinema; cf. telefilm, n. 1.
- biopic1947–A biographical film, esp. one dramatizing the life of a public or historical figure.
- kinescope1949–A film recording made from a television broadcast.
- TV movie1949–a. A film recording of a television broadcast (now disused); b. a movie shown on television, esp. one specially made for that medium rather than…
- film noir1950–A film characterized by a mood of cynicism, fatalism, menace, and moral ambiguity, typically taking place in an urban setting.
- pièce noire1951–A play or film with a sombre or macabre theme. Cf. film noir, n. & adj.
- pièce rose1951–A light or entertaining play or film; a comedy.
- deepie1953–A film made so as to give a viewer the illusion of three-dimensional depth; a 3-D film.
- misterioso1953–An air of mystery; mysteriousness. Also: a film, television programme, etc., whose story relies on mystery and suspense.
- film noir1956–A genre of crime film or thriller film characterized by a mood of cynicism, fatalism, menace, and moral ambiguity, and having a (typically…
- mockumentary1956–A film, television programme, etc., which adopts the form of a serious documentary in order to satirize its subject.
- policier1956–A film based on a police novel. Also occasionally: a police novel. Cf. roman policier, n.
- psychodrama1956–A play, film, novel, etc., in which psychological elements are the main interest.
- free film1958–A film made in accordance with the aims of the Free Cinema movement.
- beat 'em up1959–A novel, film, etc., in which characters repeatedly engage in physically violent action, esp. of a graphic or sensational nature.
- co-production1959–A joint production; the process or result of financing the production of (or, more rarely, of producing) something, esp. a film or television…
- glossy1960–Cinematography. A film depicting fashionable life.
- sexploiter1960–A sexually exploitative film.
- monster movie1961–A film having a monster as a major feature of the action.
- sci-fier1961–= science-fictioner, n.
- tie-in1962–A book, film, or the like published to take advantage of the appearance of the same work in another medium.
- chanchada1963–A type of popular Brazilian musical film, typically characterized by slapstick or burlesque humour, vibrant song and dance sequences, and the…
- romcom1963–A film with a light, comedic tone and a plot centring on a romance (often viewed in a sentimental or idealized way); a romantic comedy; (also) the…
- wuxia1963–An itinerant swordsman or warrior of ancient China. Frequently attributive, esp. designating a genre of Chinese historical fiction or martial…
- chick flick1964–A film predominantly based around female characters; spec. (a) a film designed to appeal to male sexual fantasy in its exploitative portrayal of…
- showreel1964–A short film, video, etc., containing examples of an actor's, director's, or company's work for showing to potential employers or customers; a…
- creature feature1965–A film or television programme featuring fantastical or monstrous creatures.
- monster film1965–= monster movie, n.
- sword-and-sandal1965–A genre of film characterized by a setting in the ancient world, often featuring characters from the Bible or classical history and myth…
- schlockbuster1966–A film or book which is highly popular or commercially successful but is regarded as having no artistic merit. Cf. schlocker, n.
- mondo1967–A film which is reminiscent or imitative of Mondo Cane (see etymological note), esp. one with voyeuristic or pornographic elements. rare.
- peplum1968–A film within a genre that flourished in Italy in the late 1950s and early 1960s, typically featuring an ancient world setting, an adventurous and… Though frequently popular worldwide, the relatively low production values and poor dubbing of many of these films meant that peplum was often used somewhat depreciatively.
- thriller1968–One who or that which thrills; spec. (slang or colloquial) a sensational play, film, or story (cf. shocker, n.² A.1b).
- whydunit1968–A story, play, or film in which the main interest lies in the detection of the motive for some crime or other action.
- cheapo1969–spec. A film (or occasionally a book) produced on a low budget. Cf. cheapie, n. 3b.
- schlocker1969–A film regarded as having no artistic merit; esp. a schlock horror film. Cf. schlockbuster, n.
- road movie1970–A film in which the principal character or characters make a journey by road, typically a journey on which some form of insight or self-knowledge…
- blaxploitation1972–As a modifier, designating a type of film exploiting a popular trend or taste for stereotypical urban African American characters, settings, and…
- buddy-buddy movie1972–A movie portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy movie, n.
- buddy-buddy film1974–A film portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy film, n.
- buddy film1974–A film portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; a buddy movie; cf. buddy-buddy film, n.
- science-fictioner1974–A science fiction film or television programme.
- screwball1974–Originally U.S. Film. A genre of comedy film first produced in the United States in the 1930s, with a fast-moving, irreverent style, typically…
- buddy movie1975–A movie portraying a close friendship between two people of the same sex, typically men; cf. buddy-buddy movie, n.
- slasher movie1975–attributive. Designating cinematographic films which depict the activities of a vicious attacker whose victims are slashed with a blade, as slasher…
- swashbuckler1975–A book, film, or other work portraying swashbuckling characters.
- filmi1976–a. The films produced by the Mumbai film industry (rare). b. A type of music used in the soundtracks of these films (see sense A); = filmi geet, n.
- triptych1976–transferred. Cinematography. A sequence of film designed to be shown on a triple screen, using linked projectors.
- autobiopic1977–A film based on events in the life of the filmmaker; an autobiographical film. Cf. biopic, n.
- Britcom1977–A comedy film produced or set in the United Kingdom; a British comedy film.
- kidflick1977–A cinematographic or video film for children; = kidvid, n.
- noir1977–A genre of crime film or detective fiction characterized by cynicism, sleaziness, fatalism, and moral ambiguity; film noir. Also: a film or novel in…
- bodice-ripper1979–A sexually explicit romantic novel, esp. one in a historical setting with a plot involving the seduction of the heroine; also transferred, a film…
- monster flick1980–= monster movie, n.
- chopsocky1981–A violent action film featuring (numerous) sequences involving martial arts, esp. kung fu. Also: the martial arts themselves, as depicted in such…
- horror show1982–A public spectacle, exhibition, performance, or (now usually) film or television series intended to entertain by arousing feelings of horror or fear.
- date movie1983–A film that might be suitable for watching on a date (date, n.² 8a), esp. one which is pleasant but somewhat innocuous, such as a romantic comedy.
- kaiju eiga1984–A genre of Japanese film having a giant monster as a major feature of the action; a film of this genre (or one in a similar style made…
- screener1986–An advance copy or promotional video, DVD, etc., of a film, television programme, etc.
- neo-noir1987–This style or genre; (also) a film or novel in this style.
- tent pole1987–figurative and in figurative contexts. Film. A big-budget film which is expected to generate sufficient revenue or attention to support a range of…
- indie1990–Originally U.S. An independently funded or operated (esp. media-based) company; an organization not affiliated with or backed by a major label or…
- bromance2001–Intimate and affectionate friendship between men; a relationship between two men which is characterized by this. Also: a film focusing on such a…
- hack-and-slash2002–Relating to or designating a film, interactive game, etc., which focuses chiefly on combat and violence. Cf. slasher, n. additions. Also…
- Europudding2003–A television programme or (esp.) a film produced by and starring people from several different European nations, and hence often considered to be…
- tokusatsu2004–A genre of Japanese film or television entertainment characterized by the use of practical special effects, usually featuring giant monsters…
- zom-com2004–A comedy film featuring zombie characters.
- mumblecore2005–A style of low-budget film typically characterized by naturalistic and (apparently) improvised performances, a reliance on dialogue rather than…
- independent2006–A person or company producing films without the affiliation or backing of a major established studio; an independent filmmaker (cf. indie, n. B.1a)…
- dark fantasy2007–A work of fiction, as a novel, film, etc., combining elements of horror and fantasy, typically sinister, bleak, or disturbing in tone or subject…
- hack-and-slay2007–= hack-and-slash, adj. Also as n.
- gorefest2012–A scene or description of bloodshed and gory violence; (now esp.) a film characterized by scenes of graphic violence and bloodshed.
- slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). Frequently derogatory. A television programme, film, or other entertainment intended to appeal to both children and adults.
Pronunciation
British English
U.S. English
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
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
Vowels
- ifleece, happy
- ɪkit
- ɛdress
- ætrap, bath
- ɑlot, palm, cloth, thought
- ɑrstart
- ɔcloth, thought
- ɔrnorth, force
- ʊfoot
- ugoose
- əstrut, comma
- ərnurse, letter
- ɪ(ə)rnear
- ɛ(ə)rsquare
- ʊ(ə)rcure
- eɪface
- aɪpride
- aʊmouth
- oʊgoat
- ɔɪvoice
- ɑ̃gratin
- æ̃salon
- ᵻ(/ɪ/-/ə/)
- ᵿ(/ʊ/-/ə/)
Other symbols
- The symbol ˈ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with primary stress.
- The symbol ˌ at the beginning of a syllable indicates that that syllable is pronounced with secondary stress.
- Round brackets ( ) in a transcription indicate that the symbol within the brackets is optional.
View the pronunciation model here.
Simple text respell breaks words into syllables, separated by a hyphen. The syllable which carries the primary stress is written in capital letters. This key covers both British and U.S. English Simple Text Respell.
Consonants
b, d, f, h, k, l, m, n, p, r, s, t, v, w and z have their standard English values
- gguy
- jjay
- yyore
- chchore
- khloch
- shshore
- ththaw
- dhthee
- zhbeige
Vowels
- atrap
- ahpalm
- airsquare
- arstart
- arrcarry (British only)
- awthought
- ayface
- a(ng)gratin
- edress
- eefleece
- eerdeer
- errmerry
- ikit
- ighpride
- irrmirror
- olot (British only)
- ohgoat
- oogoose
- oorcure
- orforce
- orrsorry (British only)
- owmouth
- oyvoice
- o(ng)salon
- ustrut
- uhletter
- urnurse
- urrhurry
- uufoot