annotate

verb

an·​no·​tate ˈa-nə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating

intransitive verb

: to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment

transitive verb

: to make or furnish annotations (see annotation sense 1) for (something, such as a literary work or subject)
annotated his translation of Dante's Divine Comedy
annotative adjective
annotator noun

Examples of annotate in a Sentence

He annotated the text at several places.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yet, despite this thorough materialism, the survival of Lucretius’ poem depends entirely on two manuscripts copied out in the Carolingian period, and one of them was certainly at the royal court, where it was studied and annotated by the Irish scholar Dungal. Literary Hub, 10 Oct. 2025 Robinson and Quijada annotate Mexodus with lessons on the separate but entwined oppression of Black and Latino people in the United States as well as anecdotes from their own lives, emphasizing the importance of solidarity between the groups. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 8 Oct. 2025 These are showcased alongside engravers’ prints and unpublished documents, such as preparatory Polaroids and test prints annotated by Avedon. Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025 Instead of annotating the text in the margins, use removable sticky notes to record your favorite quotes and thoughts. Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for annotate

Word History

Etymology

Latin annotatus, past participle of annotare, from ad- + notare to mark — more at note

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of annotate was in 1693

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Annotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annotate. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

annotate

verb
an·​no·​tate ˈan-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating
: to make or add explanatory notes
annotator noun

Legal Definition

annotate

verb
an·​no·​tate ˈa-nə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating

intransitive verb

: to make or write an annotation

transitive verb

: to make or write annotations for
annotator noun

More from Merriam-Webster on annotate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!