Definition

Relating to living things or having life; not inanimate.

Example

Dogs are considered animate beings, while rocks are inanimate.

Conversation

Did you know that dogs are considered animate beings?

Yeah, that's interesting! I always thought about how they interact with us.

Exactly! It's amazing how much we can learn from animate creatures.

I agree. They really bring a lot of joy into our lives.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

To give life or energy to something, making it lively or full of spirit.

Example

The artist wanted to animate the characters in her story with vibrant colors and emotions.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I really want to animate my drawings this year.

That sounds like a fun project! How do you plan to start?

I'm thinking of taking a class to learn some basic techniques to animate them properly.

Root Explanation

Animate → It is formed from "anima" (meaning soul or life) and the suffix "-ate" (indicating to make or to cause). The word "animate" means to make alive or to give life to something.

Memory Tip

Think of 'anima' meaning soul or life — that's why animate means to give life or make something alive.

Visually Confused Words