annotate

verb

an·​no·​tate ˈa-nə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating
Synonyms of annotate

intransitive verb

: to make or furnish critical or explanatory notes or comment

transitive verb

: to make or furnish annotations (see annotation sense 1) for (something, such as a literary work or subject)
annotated his translation of Dante's Divine Comedy
annotative
ˈa-nə-ˌtā-tiv How to pronounce annotate (audio)
adjective
annotator
ˈa-nə-ˌtā-tər How to pronounce annotate (audio)
noun

Examples of annotate in a Sentence

He annotated the text at several places.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In each collection only a selection of poems has been annotated, which seems somehow significant. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 Beyond scanning, iScanner includes PDF editing features for adding signatures, annotating documents, filling forms, and covering sensitive information. — Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 25 Oct. 2026 Social media users are documenting their journeys through the classics, from first-time reads inspired by screen adaptations to annotated rereads ahead of their premieres. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 16 Oct. 2026 And like all Criterion releases, The Complete Kubrick features a host of behind-the-scenes materials, including over twenty-five hours of interviews, rare photographs, artwork, and documents annotated by Kubrick. — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for annotate

Word History

Etymology

Latin annotatus, past participle of annotare, from ad- + notare to mark — more at note

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of annotate was in 1693

Rhymes for annotate

See All Rhymes for annotate

Browse Nearby Words

Annonaceae
annotate
annotated
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Annotate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annotate. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

annotate

verb
an·​no·​tate ˈan-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating
: to make or add explanatory notes
annotator
-ˌtāt-ər How to pronounce annotate (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

annotate

verb
an·​no·​tate ˈa-nə-ˌtāt How to pronounce annotate (audio)
annotated; annotating

intransitive verb

: to make or write an annotation

transitive verb

: to make or write annotations for
annotator
-ˌtā-tər How to pronounce annotate (audio)
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on annotate

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