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animated

adjective
an·​i·​mat·​ed | \ -ˌmā-təd How to pronounce animated (audio) \

Definition of animated

1a : endowed with life or the qualities of life : alive animated creatures
b : full of movement and activity an animated crowd
c : full of vigor and spirit : lively an animated discussion
2 : having the appearance of something alive an unusually animated piece of sculpture
3 : made in the form of an animated cartoon an animated film
Other Words from animated Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about animated

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Other Words from animated

animatedly adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for animated

lively, animated, vivacious, sprightly, gay mean keenly alive and spirited. lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy. a lively debate on the issues animated applies to what is spirited and active. an animated discussion of current events vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring. a vivacious party host sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit. a tuneful, sprightly musical gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits. the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s

Did You Know?

Animated cartoon characters have been "given life" by film techniques, though the animation of drawings actually goes back to handheld toys in the 1830s. A child watching the cartoon may also be animated—squealing, laughing, and jumping around—as can a crowd of hockey fans or a rock-concert audience. And the best discussions and arguments are often highly animated.

Examples of animated in a Sentence

She gave an animated description of the project. After dinner, the discussion got more animated. Many movies for kids are animated rather than live-action.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 The film’s animated sequences also inspired Almodóvar’s design for the 2019 NYFF poster, as seen below. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, more join 2019 New York Film Festival lineup," 6 Aug. 2019 Ian Merrill Peakes is hilariously grotesque as Bingley’s clumsily condescending sister and as the Bennets’ flailingly animated cousin Mr. Collins, and he’s nicely understated as roguish charmer Wickham. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: Shakespeare’s twins, Jane Austen romance delight in Santa Cruz," 31 July 2019 After more than 20 seconds, Senzel became more animated in his argument toward Miller. — Bobby Nightengale, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds rookie Nick Senzel ejected for arguing after strikeout against Rockies," 28 July 2019 DANCE Templeton, the rat from the animated children’s movie Charlotte’s Web, had the right idea -- a fair, err festival, is a veritable smorgasbord of food. — Brittany Gaston, Billboard, "A Definitive Ranking of the Tomorrowland 2019 Food Options," 25 July 2019 On the other side of the sleek buildings, the animated mockup shows the existing ball fields, which are preserved under the design plan. — Emily Brindley, courant.com, "Ideanomics reveals design plans for ‘Fintech Village’ at former UConn campus in West Hartford," 22 July 2019 Rhonda had hair going straight up from her scalp and an animated style of talking. — Ted Conover, Harper's magazine, "The Last Frontier," 22 July 2019 In 2008, Miley began actively pursuing her film career again, starring in the animated comedy Bolt alongside John Travolta. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Miley Cyrus's Net Worth Is High Enough to Buy Liam Hemsworth Whatever He Wants," 19 July 2019 If most Surf Lodge performances render the crowd animated and rowdy, Legend’s did just the opposite, infusing the ambiance with relaxation and ease with his honeyed voice. — Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, "John Legend Serenaded the Crowd at Surf Lodge During a Celebration for His New Rosé," 18 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'animated.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of animated

1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for animated

see animate entry 1

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More Definitions for animated

animated

adjective
How to pronounce animated (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of animated

: full of life and energy
: produced by the creation of a series of drawings, pictures, etc., that are shown quickly one after another : produced through the process of animation

See the full definition for animated in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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