# anime

/ˌænɪˈmeɪ/ (US) · /ˈænɪmˌeɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. Japanese animation style

noun · CEFR A2

a style of drawing and film-making that started in Japan.

For teachers: the medium or artistic style of Japanese animation. Uncountable when referring to the genre as a whole.

- Many teenagers enjoy watching anime because the stories are often very exciting.
- The global influence of anime has led many Western studios to adopt its characteristic visual language and narrative pacing.

### 2. a specific show or film

noun · CEFR A2

a specific animated show or movie from Japan.

For teachers: an individual animated work produced in Japan. Countable in this sense.

- Have you seen the new anime that everyone is talking about on social media?
- The studio released a groundbreaking anime last year that challenged traditional genre boundaries and attracted a mature audience.

### 3. natural resin

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a hard, clear substance from certain trees used to make varnish.

For teachers: a hard, transparent resin obtained from various tropical trees, primarily used in the manufacture of varnishes and lacquers.

- The carpenter used a special anime resin to give the wood a shiny finish.
- The chemical properties of anime make it an ideal base for high-quality historical varnishes.

Usage: Often spelled 'animé' to distinguish it from the animation sense.

## Examples

- My favorite anime has over five hundred episodes.
- The local cinema is hosting a festival to celebrate the history of Japanese anime and its global influence.
- While early anime was primarily produced for domestic consumption, the medium has evolved into a massive international industry with a diverse range of genres spanning from slice-of-life to psychological horror.

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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.