animated

play

adjective an·i·mat·ed \-ˌmā-təd\

Definition of animated

1a : endowed with life or the qualities of life : alive animated creaturesb : full of movement and activity an animated crowdc : 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

animatedly

adverb

See animated defined for English-language learners

See animated defined for kids

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.

Recent Examples of animated from the Web

Replay officials confirmed the call on the field, and Price exited the dugout for an animated discussion with Culbreth, normally an automatic ejection.

— zach buchanan, Cincinnati.com, "Cincinnati Reds recap: Another short start for Homer Bailey in loss to Milwaukee Brewers", 29 June 2017
The smash hit Broadway musical, based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, features music by Alan Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice and Howard Ashman.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Best weekend fun for kids: fireworks, dinosaurs and Funtastic Friday", 28 June 2017
Based on the Academy Award-winning animated feature of the same name, the stage version includes songs by Alan Menken and the late Howard Ashman along with new songs by Menken and Tim Rice.

— jessi virtusio, Post-Tribune, "'Beauty and the Beast' events include enchanted tea", 21 June 2017
The show, which has 23 full-length songs, draws on both Victor Hugo's novel and Disney's 1996 animated film, with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz.

— kimberly fornek, chicagotribune.com, "'Hunchback of Notre Dame' comes to Nazareth Academy", 21 June 2017
A year ago, during a meeting in Bay Minette, Tyler famously tossed pennies on the floor during an animated public display to illustrate a need for the renewal of the 1 percent sales tax increase.

— john sharp, AL.com, "How Baldwin schools, two years after crushing setbacks, was able to roll out massive building plan", 16 June 2017
Animated clips tell us what all of those people listed in the closing credits of Pixar films do.

— chris hewitt, Twin Cities, "Science Museum’s Pixar exhibit shows kids that math matters (and it’s fun)", 9 June 2017
The smash hit Broadway musical, based on the Academy Award-winning animated film, features music by Alan Menken.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Free weekend fun for families: Library reading kickoffs, Anime Fest", 7 June 2017
And so far, Sony has not announced plans to try to edit a kid-friendly version of Rogen’s R-rated, animated comedy Sausage Party, which would presumably mean bleeping a lot of wieners and buns.

— vanityfair.com, "Star to Studio: Don’t Touch My Dirty Movies", 7 June 2017

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of animated

see ¹animate

NEW!

First Known Use: 1534

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

ANIMATED Defined for English Language Learners

animated

play

adjective

Definition of animated for English Language Learners

: 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