WordGarden.ioanimation
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˌænɪmˈeɪʃən/
US
- /ˌænəˈmeɪʃən/
Meanings
Noun
the technique or medium of creating moving images from drawings, models, or computer graphics
motion effects or moving graphics used in software, games, or user interfaces
liveliness, energy, or expressive excitement in movement, speech, or appearance
Beyond the definition
Animation isn't just cartoons! It's the art of making static images or objects appear to move by showing a series of slightly different frames in rapid succession. Think about flipping through the pages of a flipbook—that's a simple form of animation. But it extends far beyond that. From Disney classics like The Lion King to modern blockbusters with incredible visual effects, and even the little loading animations on your phone, animation is everywhere. It's used for entertainment, education, advertising, and so much more. The word itself comes from the Latin animare, meaning "to bring to life."
In everyday conversation, animation can also mean liveliness or energy—someone might speak "with animation," or a party might be "full of animation."
Animation is the technique of photographing or rendering successive drawings, paintings, or other images in such a way that when viewed rapidly in sequence, they create the illusion of movement. It's far more than just "cartoons," though those are certainly a popular form! There are many different types of animation: traditional (hand-drawn), stop motion (using physical objects moved incrementally between photographed frames—think claymation!), computer animation (CGI), and even techniques like rotoscoping where animators trace over live-action footage.
The core principle behind all animation is how our visual system blends quick sequences of images into smooth motion (often discussed as persistence of vision): our brains hold onto an image for a fraction of a second after it disappears, so a rapid series of slightly different frames can feel continuous.
Animation isn't limited to entertainment. It's used extensively in scientific visualization (showing complex data in moving form), medical imaging, architectural renderings, and even training simulations. You see animation every day—in video games, explainer videos, GIFs on social media, and the subtle movements within user interfaces.
Animation also has a more figurative meaning: animation can describe a quality of liveliness, spirit, or enthusiasm. A speaker can deliver a story with animation, or a room can suddenly gain animation when people start talking, laughing, and moving around.
So, whether it's a fantastical world brought to life through artistry, a smooth UI transition, or a burst of energy in someone's voice, animation is about life and movement—sometimes literally on a screen, and sometimes in the atmosphere around us.
Examples
- 1
Studio work
The studio is famous for its beautiful animation.
- 2
Film style
The film combines live action with animation to tell the story.
- 3
Career training
She studied animation in college before joining a game company.
- 4
App interface
The app shows a short loading animation while the page opens.
- Phraseloading animation
a moving effect shown while you wait
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Presentation effects
I added a few animations to the slideshow, but too many looked distracting.
- Grammaranimation can be countable: an animation
one moving effect in a presentation or on a screen
- 6
Lively expression
His whole face changed with animation when he started talking about music.
- Phrasewith animation
in a lively, excited way
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- animationnoun
Forms
- animationspluralnoun