an·i·mat·ed
ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd 
1
2
: having the appearance of something alive
an unusually animated piece of sculpture
3
: made in the form of an animated cartoon
an animated film
animatedly
adverb
animated
2 of 2past and past participle of animate
Did you know?
Animated cartoon characters have been "given life" by film techniques, though the animation of drawings actually goes back to handheld toys in the 1830s. A child watching the cartoon may also be animated—squealing, laughing, and jumping around—as can a crowd of hockey fans or a rock-concert audience. And the best discussions and arguments are often highly animated.
Examples of animated in a Sentence
Adjective
She gave an animated description of the project.
After dinner, the discussion got more animated.
Many movies for kids are animated rather than live-action.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 June 2025
Even with Bailey singing her lovestruck heart out, Rob Marshall's redo doesn't make the same refreshing splash as the 1989 animated classic but gets points for trying with a more logical narrative.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The original animated film took in $145.8 million at the domestic box office during its theatrical release in 2003.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
While international appetite for animated films is growing, overproduction could flood the market.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for animated
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Adjective
Moreover, an animated Predator movie called Predator: Killer of Killers is coming to Hulu this summer.
—Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 1 June 2025
Even with Bailey singing her lovestruck heart out, Rob Marshall's redo doesn't make the same refreshing splash as the 1989 animated classic but gets points for trying with a more logical narrative.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The original animated film took in $145.8 million at the domestic box office during its theatrical release in 2003.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
While international appetite for animated films is growing, overproduction could flood the market.
—Jamie Lang, Variety, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for animated
Cite this Entry
“Animated.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/animated. Accessed 7 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed
ˈan-ə-ˌmāt-əd
1
: full of life and energy : lively
2
: appearing to be alive or moving
3
: made in the form of an animated cartoon
an animated movie
animatedly
adverb
Medical Definition
animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed
-ˌmāt-əd
1
: endowed with life or the qualities of life
2
: full of movement and activity
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