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)

caricatured, caricaturing

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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Related Words

See burlesque.

Other Word Forms

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

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

“When you encounter the strip, you’re like, ‘I know this sister,’” said Rebecca Wanzo, the author of “The Content of Our Caricature: African American Comic Art and Political Belonging.”

From New York Times • Feb. 7, 2023

They happened to be written by Harold Enlow, the founder of Caricature Carvers of America and unofficial “Godfather” of caricature carving, who Brown later studied under one week a year in Arkansas.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2020

Q. Re: Guestbook Caricature: My ex-boyfriend wrote “Tupac” on a similar wedding guestbook—the couple in question took it in stride and frequently point it out to guests in their home.

From Slate • Feb. 17, 2015

But whatever his spendthrift bent, he was no idiot says Lord Baker, a fan of Blackadder and author of George IV: A Life in Caricature.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2013

M. Albert Robida, born at Compi�gne in 1848, collaborated with Decaux in 1871 to found La Caricature; he is a paradoxical seer of the possible future and a curiosity-hunter of the past.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 3 "Capefigue" to "Carneades" by Various

Related Words

• cartoon
• farce
• parody
• satire