Leslie MeredithAstronomyMathew Dirjish
Did you know?
Is it pixelated or pixilated?
Pixelated is used to describe digital images in which individual pixels are discernable, as when you look closely at a large photo and can see the tiny dots that make up the image. Pixilated (coined from pixie, a pixie being a cheerful, mischievous sprite) is usually used to describe things considered whimsical, or people who seem dazed or lost in thought. While pixelated is a late 20th century coinage, pixilated has been in use since the mid-19th century.
Examples of pixel in a Sentence
Ben Mezrich, Vanity Fair, 6 Apr. 2026
His signature mustache and overalls helped make his visage pop on a limited pixel grid, but his color scheme changed depending on the game or promotional art.
—Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 5 Apr. 2026
There is one particularly inventive sequence that blends a rendering of Mario in his original 2D 8-bit form, blurry pixels and all, with the 3D beauty of the more modern iterations.
—Lindsey Bahr, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
Each triad of the three colors serves as a single pixel in the 1080p image.
—M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pixel
Cite this Entry
“Pixel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pixel. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pixel
noun
from pix, an altered form of pictures, and element
