an·i·mat·ed
ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd 
1
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
animated
2 of 2past and past participle of animate
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.
Synonyms
Examples of animated in a Sentence
Adjective
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 on the Web
Tim Lammers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Siblings and Hollywood royalty Anjelica and Danny Huston are teaming on a new project, The Christmas Witch Trial of La Befana, a hybrid animated and live-action feature film that is currently shooting in Los Angeles and Ontario, Canada.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
In a surprise twist, all three of them convened in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, while the animated Spider-Verse movies have continued expanding the superhero's cinematic footprint.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Where to watch or stream: Tubi, Amazon Prime Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
This animated show features an adorable young tiger, catchy songs, and relatable stories.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for animated 
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.
Adjective
The 2024 crime comedy Bad Boys: Ride or Die placed No. 9 on the Netflix U.S. Top 10 Movies chart, while the 2015 animated blockbuster Minions finished at No. 10.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Siblings and Hollywood royalty Anjelica and Danny Huston are teaming on a new project, The Christmas Witch Trial of La Befana, a hybrid animated and live-action feature film that is currently shooting in Los Angeles and Ontario, Canada.
—Chris Gardner, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024
In a surprise twist, all three of them convened in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home, while the animated Spider-Verse movies have continued expanding the superhero's cinematic footprint.
—Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 30 Oct. 2024
Where to watch or stream: Tubi, Amazon Prime Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
This animated show features an adorable young tiger, catchy songs, and relatable stories.
—Sarah Scott, Parents, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for animated
Dictionary Entries Near animated
Cite this Entry
“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed
ˈan-ə-ˌmāt-əd
1
: full of life and energy : lively
2
: appearing to be alive or moving
3
: made in the form of an animated cartoon
an animated movie
animatedly
adverb
Medical Definition
animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed
-ˌmāt-əd
1
: endowed with life or the qualities of life
2
: full of movement and activity
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share