animate

¹an·i·mate

adj \ˈa-nə-mət\

Definition of ANIMATE

1

: possessing or characterized by life : alive

2

: full of life : animated

3

: of or relating to animal life as opposed to plant life

4

: referring to a living thing <an animate noun>

— an·i·mate·ly adverb

— an·i·mate·ness noun

Examples of ANIMATE

1. The lecture was about ancient worship of animate and inanimate objects.
2. <an animate dance routine that will really get the blood pumping>

Origin of ANIMATE

Middle English, from Latin animatus, past participle of animare to give life to, from anima breath, soul; akin to Old English ōthian to breathe, Latin animus spirit, Greek anemos wind, Sanskrit aniti he breathes

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to ANIMATE

Synonyms: active, airy, lively, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pert, pizzazzy (or pizazzy), racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy

Antonyms: dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid

Related Words: dapper, dashing, spiffy; agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake; agile, nimble, spry; bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat; eager, enthusiastic, keen; frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful; boisterous, bubbly, ebullient, exuberant, high-spirited; high-strung, nervous, skittish

Near Antonyms: indolent, lazy, unambitious; inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary; apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid; boring, dull, irksome, tedious

see all synonyms and antonyms

[+]more[-]hide

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate