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

Last month, Sunny returned for season 18, extending its lead as the longest-running live-action sitcom, by season count, in American television history. — Derek Lawrence, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026

The film, which will include stop-motion animation and live-action sequences, is an adaptation of Shane Jones’ cult novel exploring the tension between escaping war through imagination and confronting its reality. — Alexandra Patterson, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

The film, a hybrid of live-action and animation directed by Dave Green, cost $70 million to make. — Jake Coyle, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

The club was live-action social media before social media existed. — Derek C. Blasberg, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 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