caricature

American  

[kar-i-kuh-cher, -choor] / ˈkær ɪ kə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər /

noun

1. a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things.

   His caricature of the mayor in this morning's paper is the best he's ever drawn.

   Synonyms:

   cartoon

2. the art or process of producing such pictures, descriptions, etc.

3. any imitation or copy so distorted or inferior as to be ludicrous.

   Synonyms:

   travesty

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verb (used with object)

caricatures, present (3rd person singular) caricatured, past participle, past caricaturing present participle

1. to make a caricature of; represent in caricature.

caricature British  

/ ˈkærɪkəˌtjʊə /

noun

1. a pictorial, written, or acted representation of a person, which exaggerates his characteristic traits for comic effect

2. a ludicrously inadequate or inaccurate imitation

   he is a caricature of a statesman

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verb

1. (tr) to represent in caricature or produce a caricature of

caricature Cultural  

1. In art or literature, portrayal of an individual or thing that exaggerates and distorts prominent characteristics so as to make them appear ridiculous. Caricature is commonly a medium for satire.

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Synonym Usage

See burlesque.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• caricaturable
  adjective
• semicaricatural
  adjective
• caricaturist
  noun
• uncaricatured
  adjective
• self-caricature
  noun
• caricatural
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has caricatured
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have caricatured
  perfect
• are caricaturing
  progressive
• has been caricaturing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• have been caricaturing
  perfect progressive
• is caricaturing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am caricaturing
  progressive 1st person singular
• caricatures
  singular 3rd person
• caricaturing
  participle

Past

• had caricatured
  perfect
• was caricaturing
  progressive singular
• had been caricaturing
  perfect progressive
• caricatured
  participle
• were caricaturing
  progressive plural
• caricatured
  simple

Future

• will caricature
  simple
• will have caricatured
  perfect
• will have been caricaturing
  perfect progressive
• will be caricaturing
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of caricature

1740–50; earlier caricatura < Italian, equivalent to caricat(o) loaded, i.e., distorted (past participle of caricare; see charge) + -ura -ure

Explanation

A caricature is a satirical, exaggerated portrayal of a person. You'd better not caricature your father by walking bent-over and speaking in his high voice. If he catches you, you'll be in trouble! An exaggeration of a person's character results in a caricature. While this might help you to remember its meaning, don't let the spelling confuse you. Character has an "h" but caricature does not. If you're so excited about something that you feel a little out of control, you might seem like a caricature of yourself to your friends. You can use this word as a verb too. Presidents and other prominent politicians are often caricatured in political cartoons.

Example Sentences

He said the pair had an "agreeable" conversation, adding he did not agree with Vance's "caricature" of Western civilisation and its perceived decline.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

For the LFI's Fourreau, the banquets are "backward-looking – a caricature".

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

A caricature of this look hangs permanently at the establishment.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Make fun of it while remembering that its subject is not a caricature, but someone with extreme power.

From Salon • Feb. 1, 2026

The Marine in the mirror was almost a caricature of the slim, youthful pilot who stood beside his Corsair in a photograph on Lillian’s dresser.

From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy

Related Words

• cartoon
• farce
• parody
• satire