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

• cartoonish adjective
• cartoonist noun
• uncartooned adjective

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” ( carte ) + -one augmentative suffix

Example Sentences

Images of cats painting, celebrities in compromising situations, and cartoon characters endorsing products are among the AI-generated detritus proliferating on social networks and video-sharing platforms.

From Barron's

But since I didn’t, Boo and I watched cartoons until it was too late to go.

From Literature

I try to remember what the picture for the internet looked like on Mom’s old laptop, the one I used for watching a show about a cartoon pig and her family.

From Literature

“Coal made a cartoon portrait of me,” Bisa said at the same time.

From Literature

Paty, who has become a free-speech icon, had used the cartoons as part of an ethics class to discuss freedom of expression laws in France.

From Barron's

Related Words

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