cartoon

[kahr-toon]

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.

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• cartoonish adjective
• cartoonist noun
• uncartooned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartoon¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cartoon¹

C17: from Italian cartone pasteboard, sketch on stiff paper; see _carton

Example Sentences

A 'Mini Moi' children's cartoon is also in development to share his story with Latin American audiences.

Read more on BBC

Disney’s World War II Donald Duck cartoon “Der Fuehrer’s Face” isn’t what stopped Hitler — it was bullets and bombs and bodies — but in some small way it may have helped the home front survive him.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sealed drug packages littered the floor, emblazoned with a picture of a cartoon bear made famous in the 2012 Mark Wahlberg comedy "Ted".

Read more on Barron's

“I was jumping all around like you see in cartoons and stuff,” the 50-year-old said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

At the end of a long day, I sometimes spend a few mindless minutes scrolling absurd clips of these cartoon cats having affairs—or of their kittens getting flushed down the toilet.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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