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

While Japan remains best known internationally for anime, the delegation will emphasize live-action content, particularly television drama, a category the Japanese government is now specifically targeting for overseas growth. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 18 Sep. 2026

This is believed to be the first English-language live-action series adaptation of Webtoon IP, which has been popular source material in Korean and Japanese television. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 17 Sep. 2026

The Disney studio arm has hired Josh Cooley, the animation filmmaker known for Toy Story 4 and Transformers One, to pen the live-action adaptation of video game 99 Nights in the Forest. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026

On the reality competition show, a group of contestants plays a live-action game of social deduction similar to parlor games like Mafia. — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 17 Sep. 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