What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
enliven
Example
The music enlivened the party and got everyone dancing. [enlivened: past tense]
Example
The new paint colors enlivened the room and made it feel more vibrant. [enlivened: past participle]
animate
Example
The animator used computer graphics to animate the cartoon characters. [animate: verb]
Example
The children's laughter animated the playground and made it come alive. [animated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Enliven is more commonly used than animate in everyday language, as it is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between enliven and animate?
While both enliven and animate can be used in formal and informal contexts, animate is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts, which may make it sound more formal or specialized.
