What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
semianimate
Example
The puppet show featured a cast of semianimate characters. [semianimate: adjective]
Example
The wind-up car moved across the floor like a semianimate object. [semianimate: noun]
inanimate
Example
The vase on the shelf is an inanimate object. [inanimate: adjective]
Example
The rock in the garden is completely inanimate. [inanimate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inanimate is a more common word than semianimate and is used in a wider range of contexts. Semianimate is a more specialized term and is typically used in specific contexts, such as in discussions of puppetry or animation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between semianimate and inanimate?
Both semianimate and inanimate are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
