cartoon

American  

[kahr-toon] / kɑrˈtun /

noun

1. a sketch or drawing, usually humorous, as in a newspaper or periodical, symbolizing, satirizing, or caricaturing some action, subject, or person of popular interest.

2. comic strip.

3. animated cartoon.

4. Fine Arts. a full-scale design for a picture, ornamental motif or pattern, or the like, to be transferred to a fresco, tapestry, etc.

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adjective

1. resembling a cartoon or caricature.

   The novel is full of predictable, cartoon characters, never believable as real people.

verb (used with object)

1. to represent by a cartoon.

verb (used without object)

1. to draw cartoons.

cartoon British  

/ kɑːˈtuːn /

noun

1. a humorous or satirical drawing, esp one in a newspaper or magazine, concerning a topical event

2. Also called: comic strip.  a sequence of drawings in a newspaper, magazine, etc, relating a comic or adventurous situation

3. See animated cartoon

4. a full-size preparatory sketch for a fresco, tapestry, mosaic, etc, from which the final work is traced or copied

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• uncartooned
  adjective
• cartoonish
  adjective
• cartoonist
  noun

Etymology

Origin of cartoon

First recorded in 1665–75; from Italian cartone “pasteboard, stout paper, a drawing on such paper,” equivalent to cart(a) “paper” ( see carte) + -one augmentative suffix

Explanation

A cartoon makes a brief, funny comment using illustrations and is often found on television, in a newspaper or in a magazine. The Simpsons and Snoopy? Both cartoons. A cartoon can be a satirical or humorous drawing, a series of illustrations (also called a comic strip), or an animated film. Many kids grow up watching new and classic cartoons on TV. Political cartoons manage to sum up an often complex idea in one simple panel. When you criticize a character or a real person for being a cartoon, you mean that they are overly simplified or exaggerated: "I hate that show because all the women are cartoon characters." The word comes from the Italian cartone, "strong, heavy paper."

Example Sentences

It’s like a kindergarten “Lord of the Rings” that seems aimed at those old enough to remember the 1980s cartoon show “He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” but have not aged emotionally since then.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

As the cartoon likeness of Gilgeous-Alexander states in the Unethical Hoops ad, “so much as breathe on me, I’m getting the call.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 29, 2026

Curitiba, the capital of Paraná, has become so famous for its parks’ capybaras that the city government recently created an Instagram video with an A.I. cartoon capybara warning people not to touch it.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

At the end of the Bugs Bunny cartoon, Bugs left for Miami voluntarily.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

It’s made up of intricate cartoon drawings, each one instructing people on the proper way to hand wash or the correct way to cough in public.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott

Related Words

• animation
• caricature
• comic strip
• drawing
• parody
• satire
• sketch