pix·i·la·tion
variants
or less commonly pixillation
ˌ⸗⸗ˈlāshən
plural -s
: the quality or state of being pixilated
Did you know?
Is it pixelated or pixilated?
Pixelated is used to describe digital images in which individual pixels are discernable, as when you look closely at a large photo and can see the tiny dots that make up the image. Pixilated (coined from pixie, a pixie being a cheerful, mischievous sprite) is usually used to describe things considered whimsical, or people who seem dazed or lost in thought. While pixelated is a late 20th century coinage, pixilated has been in use since the mid-19th century.
Examples of pixilated in a Sentence
Adjective
a pixilated waitress who couldn't seem to get anything straight
Recent Examples on the Web
Shantay Robinson, ARTnews.com, 18 Dec. 2024
With 30 Disney characters and tons of interactions, the pixilated present keeps them entertained on those impossibly long work days.
—Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Williams reimagined the print, introduced by the French Maison in 1889, with a pixilated twist for his first collection, appearing on an assortment of lengthy overcoats, matching suits, and one stylish collarless tapestry jacket.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 June 2023
Offering feedback cultivates a supportive environment that encourages employee growth, reduces misunderstandings, and ultimately boosts productivity—each of which can be even more complex and complicated to achieve through a pixilated screen.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
Behind them, a scrim angled up to the sky played what appeared to be heavily pixilated clouds and flames.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2016
The bomb is in fact a functioning alarm clock dressed up to look like a science-fictional nuclear popper (alas, there are no pixilated Light-Brite cartoon characters…), with the innards encased in a translucent red plastic case.
—Rob Beschizza, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2007
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Adjective
In One Kind of Story, for example, Box pairs a large, pixilated self-portrait with photographs of her female family members in the periphery.
—Shantay Robinson, ARTnews.com, 18 Dec. 2024
With 30 Disney characters and tons of interactions, the pixilated present keeps them entertained on those impossibly long work days.
—Savannah Smith, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024
Williams reimagined the print, introduced by the French Maison in 1889, with a pixilated twist for his first collection, appearing on an assortment of lengthy overcoats, matching suits, and one stylish collarless tapestry jacket.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 21 June 2023
Offering feedback cultivates a supportive environment that encourages employee growth, reduces misunderstandings, and ultimately boosts productivity—each of which can be even more complex and complicated to achieve through a pixilated screen.
—William Arruda, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2023
Behind them, a scrim angled up to the sky played what appeared to be heavily pixilated clouds and flames.
—Jon Caramanica, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2016
The bomb is in fact a functioning alarm clock dressed up to look like a science-fictional nuclear popper (alas, there are no pixilated Light-Brite cartoon characters…), with the innards encased in a translucent red plastic case.
—Rob Beschizza, WIRED, 5 Feb. 2007
Cite this Entry
“Pixilated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pixilated. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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