live-action
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to movies, videos, and the like, that feature real performers, as distinguished from animation.
A new live-action version of the classic animated film will be released later this year.
-
Informal. live.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of live-action
First recorded in 1955–60
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.
Disney and Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” underperformed, as did the live-action “Moana,” Amazon MGM Studios’ “Masters of the Universe” and Warner Bros.-owned DC Studios’ “Supergirl.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
This could mean the misshapen duo of “Smiling Friends,” or a very live-action Eric Andre.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026
Dave Bautista will take over as the lead in the Amazon Prime live-action TV series based on the widely revered video game franchise of the same name.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2026
By keeping the action and themes largely Earthbound and removing the interstellar glamour associated with flying supes and suits, “Lanterns” reignites our consideration of a superhero long written off in the live-action realm.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
A friend from the live-action role-playing community sewed Sasha a skirt and matching vest.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
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.
