animated

[an-uh-mey-tid]

adjective

1. full of life, action, or spirit; lively; vigorous.

   an animated debate on the death penalty.

2. made or equipped to move or give the appearance of moving in an animallike fashion.

   animated puppets.

3. containing representations of animals or mechanical objects that appear to move as real ones do.

   an animated window display.

animated

/ ˈænɪˌmeɪtɪd /

adjective

1. full of vivacity and spirit; lively

2. characterized by movement and activity

   an animated scene met her eye

3. possessing life; animate

4. moving or appearing to move as if alive

   an animated display

5. pertaining to cinematographic animation

Other Word Forms

• animatedly adverb
• nonanimated adjective
• overanimated adjective
• overanimatedly adverb
• semianimated adjective
• unanimated adjective
• unanimatedly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of animated¹

First recorded in 1525–35; animate + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Romantic betrayal has animated Allen since she debuted in 2006 with “Smile.”

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That play of masks—at once disclosing and disguising—animated Roth’s fictional alter egos, incarnations both intimate and inscrutable.

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In black Converse sneakers, green camo pants and a T-shirt honoring the 1980s synth-pop group New Order, Eilish is especially animated when advocating for environmental causes.

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I think about Beallsville every time the world grows especially bellicose, and talk of preparation for armed conflict becomes animated.

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For an animated film, that is no mean feat.

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Related Words

• energetic 
• spirited 
• vivid