Animate
/ˈænɪmeɪt/
verbIntermediateCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
To give life, motion, or spirit to something.
/ˈænɪmeɪt/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To give life or motion to
He animated the story with vivid descriptions.
💡 Simply: To make something come alive or move.
More Examples
2
The puppet show was expertly animated.
How It's Used
Animation
"The artist skillfully animated the characters in the film."
Figurative
"Her enthusiasm animated the entire team."
2
Possessing life; living.
/ˈænɪmət/
adjectiveneutralIntermediate
General
Possessing life; alive.
The animate world is full of wonders.
💡 Simply: Alive.
More Examples
2
Only animate objects can feel pain.
How It's Used
Biology
"All animate beings require energy to survive."
Tip:Opposite of 'inanimate'.
From Latin *animātus*, past participle of *animāre* "to give breath or life to, to enliven", from *ānima* "breath, soul, life".
Historically, 'animate' was used more frequently in the sense of 'giving life' in a spiritual or metaphysical context.
Memory tip
Think 'anim' like 'animal' - giving life to something.
Practice
animmateanmate
Usage
40%Spoken
60%Written