animator

American  

[an-uh-mey-ter] / ˈæn əˌmeɪ tər /

Sometimes animater

noun

1. a person or thing that animates.

2. Graphic Arts. an artist who produces animation from drawings, objects, or computer models: a video game animator;

   a cartoon animator;

   a video game animator;

   a stop-motion animator.

---

animator British  

/ ˈænɪˌmeɪtə /

noun

1. an artist who produces animated cartoons

2. 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."

Related Words

• artisan
• craftsman
• illustrator