# animation

/ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/ (US) · /ˌænɪmˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/animation
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. moving drawings/graphics

noun · CEFR B1

a film or computer game made from many drawings or models that are shown quickly to look like they are moving.

For teachers: the technique of photographing successive drawings or positions of models to create an illusion of movement when the film is shown as a sequence.

- The studio uses 3D animation to make their characters look more realistic.
- Modern animation has evolved from hand-drawn cells to sophisticated computer-generated imagery that can simulate complex physics and lighting.

### 2. liveliness and energy

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being full of energy, excitement, or spirit.

For teachers: the state of being full of life, vigour, or spirit; vivacity in expression or movement.

- She spoke with great animation about her plans for the new business.
- The conductor led the orchestra with such animation that the audience remained captivated throughout the entire four-hour performance.

### 3. giving life to something

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of bringing something to life or making it appear alive.

For teachers: the act of imparting life, spirit, or motion to a previously inanimate object or concept.

- The animation of the puppet was so smooth it almost looked human.
- The myth describes the animation of the clay figure by a divine breath, transforming a statue into a living being.

### 4. grammatical category shift

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Academic

changing a word from a 'thing' category to a 'living being' category in grammar.

For teachers: the linguistic process of converting a lexical item from the inanimate to the animate grammatical category.

- In some languages, the animation of a noun changes how the verb is spelled.
- The researcher argued that the animation of certain abstract concepts in the dialect was a result of prolonged personification in local folklore.

Usage: Used primarily in the context of morphological or syntactic analysis.

## Examples

- The new movie uses beautiful hand-drawn animation.
- The studio spent three years on the character animation to ensure every facial expression looked realistic.
- While the technical precision of the digital animation was undeniable, the film lacked the narrative soul required to truly resonate with a mature audience.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.