animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd 
1
a
: endowed with life or the qualities of life : alive
animated creatures
b
: full of movement and activity
an animated crowd
c
: full of vigor and spirit : lively
an animated discussion
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
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.
Synonyms
- active
- airy
- animate
- bouncing
- brisk
- energetic
- frisky
- gay
- jaunty
- jazzy
- kinetic
- lively
- mettlesome
- peppy
- perky
- pert
- pizzazzy
- pizazzy
- racy
- snappy
- spanking
- sparky
- spirited
- sprightly
- springy
- vital
- vivacious
- zippy
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 The animated film is set to world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 11. 
Ej Panaligan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 While waiting in line to board, guests can watch an animated video showing some of the animals who call the Peak home, including toads, birds, porcupines and wild boars. Lilit Marcus, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 In the animated music video, Gera is seen climbing the stairs to heaven and reuniting with his father. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2022 In one classroom Monday, Reem Adai of Madina Institute and Mosque, showed students an animated video about the Prophet Muhammad. Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2022 That’s the case with another charter member, Rep Paul Gosar, who posted an animated video of himself killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2022 The state’s Save Our Water campaign, together with the State Water Contractors, released an animated video to spread the message. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2022 Snoop Dogg is adding children’s animated series creator to his résumé. Wilson Wong, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 With a growing list of projects on their slate — including an animated superhero series starring identical twins — the industry’s just going to have to adjust. Amy Nicholson, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Ej Panaligan, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 While waiting in line to board, guests can watch an animated video showing some of the animals who call the Peak home, including toads, birds, porcupines and wild boars. Lilit Marcus, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 In the animated music video, Gera is seen climbing the stairs to heaven and reuniting with his father. Billboard Staff, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2022 In one classroom Monday, Reem Adai of Madina Institute and Mosque, showed students an animated video about the Prophet Muhammad. Frank E. Lockwood, Arkansas Online, 2 July 2022 That’s the case with another charter member, Rep Paul Gosar, who posted an animated video of himself killing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2022 The state’s Save Our Water campaign, together with the State Water Contractors, released an animated video to spread the message. Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2022 Snoop Dogg is adding children’s animated series creator to his résumé. Wilson Wong, NBC News, 25 Aug. 2022 With a growing list of projects on their slate — including an animated superhero series starring identical twins — the industry’s just going to have to adjust. Amy Nicholson, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
see animate entry 1
First Known Use
1534, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing animated
Kids Definition
animated
adjective
an·i·mat·ed ˈa-nə-ˌmā-təd
1
: full of life and energy : lively
an animated discussion
2
: appearing to be alive or moving
animated cartoon characters
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
animated 1 of 2
adjective
1
as in animate
having much high-spirited energy and movement an animated group of girls loudly running down the hall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- animate
- lively
- energetic
- active
- brisk
- bouncing
- spirited
- cheerful
- playful
- enthusiastic
- kinetic
- awake
- perky
- vivacious
- sprightly
- gay
- jazzy
- peppy
- jaunty
- sparky
- racy
- spanking
- zippy
- frisky
- mettlesome
- pert
- springy
- snappy
- airy
- vital
- agile
- bright
- up
- pizazzy
- eager
- spiffy
- pizzazzy
- dashing
- dapper
- spry
- on the go
- buoyant
- effervescent
- chirpy
- upbeat
- nimble
- alert
- bubbly
- chipper
- sparkly
- exuberant
- boisterous
- impish
- ebullient
- frolicsome
- nervous
- open-eyed
- agog
- keen
- pixieish
- chirrupy
- wide-awake
- skittish
- high-spirited
- high-strung
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inanimate
- lifeless
- listless
- languid
- dead
- inactive
- vapid
- leaden
- limp
- spiritless
- lazy
- lackadaisical
- inert
- indolent
- sluggish
- languishing
- tired
- torpid
- sleepy
- weary
- lethargic
- unambitious
- stolid
- phlegmatic
- languorous
- impassive
- boring
- apathetic
- dull
- tedious
- irksome
2
as in buzzing
marked by much life, movement, or activity an animated marketplace full of vendors and holiday shoppers Synonyms & Similar Words
- buzzing
- vibrant
- lively
- busy
- humming
- thriving
- kinetic
- crowded
- rousing
- populous
- brisk
- bustling
- flourishing
- stirring
- astir
- alive
- abubble
- hopping
- happening
- teeming
- swarming
- abuzz
- aboil
- abounding
- overflowing
- thronging
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- lifeless
- dead
- inactive
- sleepy
- asleep
animated
2 of 2verb
as in stimulated
to give life, vigor, or spirit to Mr. Clark animates history for his sixth graders by frequently showing up for class dressed like some famous historical figure Synonyms & Similar Words
- stimulated
- vivified
- enlivened
- aroused
- electrified
- inspired
- energized
- vitalized
- stirred
- awakened
- activated
- invigorated
- provoked
- excited
- recreated
- revived
- quickened
- triggered
- cheered
- spiked
- braced
- motivated
- lifted
- fired
- propelled
- filliped
- juiced up
- roused
- motived
- jump-started
- sparked
- drove
- strengthened
- raised
- awoke
- charged
- rallied
- boosted
- gingered (up)
- resurrected
- moved
- refreshed
- pepped (up)
- actuated
- livened (up)
- renewed
- zipped (up)
- jazzed (up)
- awaked
- amped (up)
- set off
- galvanized
- infused
- reanimated
- kindled
- inflamed
- incited
- fermented
- enkindled
- impelled
- regenerated
- revitalized
- buoyed
- emboldened
- turned on
- reinvigorated
- rejuvenated
- fomented
- resuscitated
- reawakened
- fortified
- instigated
- enflamed
- heartened
- reactivated
- reenergized
- rekindled
- recharged
- waked (up)
- woke (up)
- refreshened
- abetted
- steeled
- restimulated
- re-energized
- reawaked
- whipped (up)
- reawoke
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- killed
- washed out
- knocked out
- damped
- deadened
- restrained
- dampened
- burnt out
- drained
- exhausted
- harassed
- weakened
- undermined
- enfeebled
- enervated
- fatigued
- dulled
- wore
- wore out
- wearied
- stunted
- suppressed
- debilitated
- sapped
- checked
- inhibited
- repressed
- did in
- burned out
- slowed
- stilled
- jaded
- quenched
- curbed
- dispirited
- quelled
- discouraged
- fagged
- tuckered (out)
- disheartened
- kayoed
- demoralized
- daunted
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of animated are gay, lively, sprightly, and vivacious. While all these words mean "keenly alive and spirited," animated applies to what is spirited and active.
an animated discussion of current events
While in some cases nearly identical to animated, gay stresses complete freedom from care and overflowing spirits.
the gay spirit of Paris in the 1920s
Although the words lively and animated have much in common, lively suggests briskness, alertness, or energy.
a lively debate on the issues
The words sprightly and animated can be used in similar contexts, but sprightly suggests lightness and spirited vigor of manner or wit.
a tuneful, sprightly musical
The synonyms vivacious and animated are sometimes interchangeable, but vivacious suggests an activeness of gesture and wit, often playful or alluring.
a vivacious party host
- Aulostomi
- grace cup
- grace hoop
- grace note
- grace period
- grace warbler
- grace with one's presence
- Grace's warbler
- grace-and-favor
- graced
- graceful
- graceful kelp crab
- gracefuller
- gracefullest
- gracefully
- gracefulness
- gracefulnesses
- graceless
- gracelessly
- gracelessness
- gracelessnesses
- graces
- graceses
- gracesses
- gracias