noun
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an artist who produces animated cartoons
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a person who coordinates or facilitates something, esp a television or radio presenter
Etymology
Origin of animator
First recorded in 1565–75, and in 1915–20 animator for def. 2; from Late Latin animātor; see origin at animate, -tor
Explanation
If you're an animator, you're an artist who makes a drawing, clay figure, or digital image appear to move. Animators draw the images that make your favorite cartoon character seem to walk and talk. It used to be that an animator drew a series of images on paper that would appear as continuous movement when they were viewed in quick succession. Now there are many different kinds of animation, including claymation, in which clay figures are repeatedly filmed, adjusted, and filmed again, seeming to move independently thanks to animators. The Latin root word is animare, "give breath to," from anima, "life."
Vocabulary lists containing animator
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Mark Henn, an animator who worked on the altogether more family-friendly 2011 Disney film "Winnie the Pooh," said he had been thrilled to be able to draw a character he had grown up watching.
From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026
Phoebe said she wants her future career to be one of two options, "an animator, or a demon hunter".
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
How has the job of the animator changed?
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025
The animator and writer Alex Hirsch last year responded to last year’s AI ads by declaring that Coca-Cola is “red because it’s made from the blood of out-of-work artists.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 3, 2025
Amelia is the director and lead vocal talent, Serenity is the screenwriter and side vocals, and I’m the animator.
From "I Can Make This Promise" by Christine Day
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
