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adj B1 Intermediate Common

animated

AN-ih-may-tihd
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Animated (adj) means Made using drawings, models, or computer graphics that are shown in sequence to create the illusion of movement. Example: “My niece loves watching animated films about talking animals.”

adj
1
Made using drawings, models, or computer graphics that are shown in sequence to create the illusion of movement.
"My niece loves watching animated films about talking animals."
"The studio released its first animated feature in 1937."
"Kids today grow up with animated shows on tablets."
2
Lively, energetic, or full of expression.
"The children were in animated conversation all the way home from the zoo."
"She gave an animated account of her trip."
"The debate grew animated once the topic turned to money."

How to use animated

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither "made to look alive through animation" (like a cartoon) or "lively and full of energy."

Common pairings
animated film animated discussion animated expression
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Word forms

Comparative
more animated
Superlative
most animated
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My niece loves watching _____ films about talking animals.

Related words

Rhymes for animated

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Frequently asked questions

What does “animated” mean?
The word “animated” means made using drawings, models, or computer graphics that are shown in sequence to create the illusion of movement. In plain terms, either "made to look alive through animation" (like a cartoon) or "lively and full of energy.".
How do you pronounce “animated”?
“Animated” is pronounced AN-ih-may-tihd (/ˈæn.ɪ.meɪ.tɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “animated” in a sentence?
Here is “animated” used in a sentence: “The studio released its first animated feature in 1937.”
What is another word for “animated”?
Words with a similar meaning to “animated” include dynamic, peppy and living.
What part of speech is “animated”?
“Animated” is an adjective.
Is “animated” a common word?
“Animated” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “animated” have?
“Animated” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: made using drawings, models, or computer graphics that are shown in sequence to create the illusion of movement.
What is the difference between an animated film and a cartoon?
An animated film is any film made from drawings, models, or computer graphics shown in sequence to create the illusion of movement. Cartoon is the more informal word and often suggests short, comic, or children's material, so studios and critics generally prefer 'animated film' or 'animation' for feature-length work. In casual speech, though, the two labels overlap almost completely.
When should you use animated instead of lively?
Choose animated when the energy is visible in someone's face, voice, or gestures — an animated conversation is one full of expression and enthusiasm. Lively is broader and can describe places, events, or tempos ('a lively market') where animated would sound odd. People, discussions, and debates are the classic company that animated keeps.
What is the difference between animated and animate?
Animate, as an adjective, means alive or living, as in 'animate beings' versus inanimate objects. Animated means either produced by animation techniques or full of liveliness and expression. A rock is inanimate; a heated debate is animated.

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