animated

American  

[an-uh-mey-tid] / ˈæn əˌmeɪ tɪd /

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.

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animated British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of animated

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

Example Sentences

Sim adds that the cosmic film is a "gorgeously animated love letter to Mario fans".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

By then, Cudi, born Scott Mescudi, had already logged 20 years of a successful emo rap career, launched a clothing line, forged an acting career and created an animated film.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Angel Studios’ all-ages 2023 animated series, “Young David,” seeded the ground for its feature-length film, “David,” which premiered at the end of 2025.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Simon told The Wall Street Journal in a 2025 interview that he was passionate and got animated, but insisted his outbursts were partly showmanship.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

To his mother, he seemed to be a different man: well read, animated, involved.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Related Words

• energetic
• spirited
• vivid