live-action
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to movies, videos, and the like, that feature real performers, as distinguished from animation.
A new live-action version of the classic animated film will be released later this year.
-
Informal. live.
Other Word Forms
- live action noun
Etymology
Origin of live-action
First recorded in 1955–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It will also see the comeback of Rick Moranis, who was one of the biggest box office stars of the 1980s and 90s but hasn't appeared in a live-action film for three decades.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
The studio is set to release the latest live-action installment, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” this summer.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
The movie, which is still in early development, will feature the fanged monsters in a "live-action and CGI hybrid", Pop Mart said.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
He also announced the second season of FX hit “Shogun” will come out next year and a sequel to last year’s blockbuster live-action remake of “Lilo & Stitch” will be released in May of 2028.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026
“LARP. It stands for live-action role-playing,” Elena explains.
From "A Soft Place to Land" by Janae Marks
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
