Part of Speech

Adjective

Pronunciation

/ˈanɪmeɪtɪd/

Definitions

1. (Adjective) Full of life or excitement; lively or spirited.

2. (Adjective) Brought to life or made to appear to move through animation (e.g., animated characters, animated films).

3. (Adjective) Characterized by vivid or dynamic motion, such as in a visual representation (e.g., animated graphics, animated illustrations).

Usage Examples

"The animated movie was a huge hit among children."

"Her animated storytelling captivated the audience."

"The animated illustrations in the book helped children understand the story better."

Etymology

Derived from the Latin "animatus," meaning "having life" or "endowed with a soul," from "anima" (meaning "soul" or "breath of life"). The term "animated" began to be used in the 18th century in English to describe something that was lively or full of energy. It later extended to the concept of creating the illusion of movement in images, especially with the advent of animation in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Synonyms

• Lively
• Energetic
• Vibrant
• Spirited
• Excitable
• Dynamic
• Exciting
• Vivid

Antonyms

• Inanimate
• Inactive
• Lifeless
• Stagnant
• Flat
• Monotonous
• Subdued

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

In different English dialects, the pronunciation of "animated" can slightly vary. In British English, it is often pronounced with a clearer emphasis on the "a" sound, while American English tends to have a more neutral vowel sound. The word may also be shortened or slurred in rapid speech in informal settings, particularly in colloquial contexts.

Historical Usage

The word "animated" first appeared in the 18th century and originally referred to something full of life or spirit. In the early 20th century, it took on a specific meaning related to the medium of animation, especially in the film industry. The development of animated cartoons and later CGI (computer-generated imagery) expanded the meaning of the word, linking it to the creation of moving images in entertainment.

Cultural Nuances

In modern culture, "animated" is closely associated with entertainment, especially animation in film, television, and video games. While it historically referred to the quality of being lively or full of life, today it is almost universally tied to the technology and art of creating animated media. "Animated" is often used to describe not just characters in films but also the tone or energy in people's behavior or speech.

More Information

The term "animated" has a broad range of meanings in different contexts. In art and film, "animated" refers to the process of creating moving images from still frames. The creation of animated films has its roots in ancient visual techniques but became a significant industry with the development of modern film and animation technologies in the early 20th century. Today, "animated" is often used to describe not only cartoons and films but also the vibrancy and liveliness of people's expressions and actions in both digital and physical realms.