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noun Common

anime

AN-ih-may

Anime (noun) means Animation that originates from Japan, or animated work drawn in the visual style associated with it. Example: “She got into anime after watching a friend's favorite series.”

noun
1
Animation that originates from Japan, or animated work drawn in the visual style associated with it.
"She got into anime after watching a friend's favorite series."
"The convention draws thousands of anime fans every year."

How to use anime

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishJapanese-style animated shows and films, or animation drawn in that style.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
anime series anime convention anime fan

Word forms

anime plural, animes plural

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She got into _____ after watching a friend's favorite series.

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese anime, itself a shortened form of animēshon, which Japanese borrowed from the English word "animation."

Origin: Japanese

japanese animation Japanimation Japanime

Related words

Rhymes for anime

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Frequently asked questions

What does “anime” mean?

The word “anime” means animation that originates from Japan, or animated work drawn in the visual style associated with it. In plain terms, japanese-style animated shows and films, or animation drawn in that style.

How do you pronounce “anime”?

“Anime” is pronounced AN-ih-may (/ˈæn.ɪ.meɪ/ in IPA).

How do you use “anime” in a sentence?

Here is “anime” used in a sentence: “She got into anime after watching a friend's favorite series.”

What is another word for “anime”?

Words with a similar meaning to “anime” include Japanimation and Japanime.

What part of speech is “anime”?

“Anime” is a noun.

Where does the word “anime” come from?

The word “anime” comes from Japanese. Borrowed from Japanese anime, itself a shortened form of animēshon, which Japanese borrowed from the English word "animation.".

Is “anime” a common word?

“Anime” is a fairly common word in modern English.

What is the difference between "anime" and a "cartoon"?

"Anime" refers specifically to animation that originates from Japan or is drawn in that visual style, while "cartoon" is a general English word for any animated work. All anime is animation, but in common use not every cartoon is called anime.

What is the difference between "anime" and "manga"?

Anime is animated — moving film or television — while manga refers to Japanese comics and printed graphic novels. Many anime series are adapted from manga source material.

Is "anime" singular or plural?

"Anime" works as both singular and plural, so you can watch "an anime" or several "anime." It usually does not take an "-s" ending, much like other borrowed words treated as uncountable.

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