live-action

adjective

live-ac·​tion ˈlīv-ˈak-shən 

variants or less commonly live action

1

: of, relating to, or featuring cinematography that is not produced by animation

a live-action film

2

: done or performed live and usually in person

a live-action performance

live-action role-playing games

Examples of live-action in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Paramount’s live-action/CGI hybrid film series has proved incredibly lucrative at the global box office, grossing a collective $1 billion. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026

The live-action remake, released in 2025, made over $1 billion. —Julianna Duennes Russ, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026

The company also has the feature Beach Read for 20th Century, and a live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for Paramount. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 19 Mar. 2026

The project is still in early development, but it’s set to be a live-action and CGI hybrid. —Fleurine Tideman, Glamour, 19 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1936, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for live-action

• benefaction
• counteraction
• interaction
• liquefaction
• putrefaction
• rarefaction
• satisfaction
• stupefaction
• tumefaction
• abstraction
• attraction
• compaction

Kids Definition

live-action

adjective

live-ac·​tion ˈlīv-ˈak-shən 

1

: of, relating to, or featuring cinematography that is not produced by animation

2

: done or performed live and usually in person