anime

noun

an·​i·​me ˈa-nə-ˌmā  ˈä-nē- 

: a style of animation originating in Japan that is characterized by stark colorful graphics depicting vibrant characters in action-filled plots often with fantastic or futuristic themes

Examples of anime in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Japanese entertainment giant Toho is moving ahead with a third season of Dorohedoro, the cult dark-fantasy anime adapted from Q Hayashida’s long-running manga, the studio revealed Wednesday. —Patrick Brzeski, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2026

Dedicated to vintage Asian cinema, the interior is brimming with Godzilla figurines and anime posters under the glow of Japanese paper lanterns. —Mariette Williams, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 2026

The anime’s second season concluded in April. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 May 2026

The increase in viewership is complemented by the rise of manga – the comics on which most anime are based – to become the category leader in North American comics publishing, vastly outselling superheroes and other genres in the trade book channel and, increasingly, in comic book stores. —Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Japanese, animation, short for animēshiyon, from English

First Known Use

1985, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anime

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

Kids Definition

anime

noun

an·​i·​me ˈan-ə-ˌmā  ˈä-nē- 

: a style of animation originating in Japan that has stark colorful graphics, action-filled plots, and often fantastic or futuristic themes

Etymology

from Japanese, literally, "animation," short for animēshiyon (from English)