caricature

[kar-i-kuh-cher, -choor]

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

verb (used with object)

caricatured, caricaturing 

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

caricature

/ 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

verb

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

caricature

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.

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of caricature¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of caricature¹

C18: from Italian caricatura a distortion, exaggeration, from caricare to load, exaggerate; see _cargo

Synonym Study

See burlesque.

Example Sentences

The caricature of corporate America is heartless indifference, but Paul Gigot and Rupert Murdoch were there for my family and me.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There was Serena Williams, whose dominance in the historically white sport of tennis rendered her athletic build fundamentally suspect, subjecting her to an objectifying scrutiny and racist caricature reminiscent of “Hottentot Venus” Sarah Baartman’s.

Read more on Salon

They’re vicious caricatures of Richard Nixon, with his face reduced to bulging, stubbled cheeks and a tubular nose.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Shock horror in a political campaign, you'll be amazed that the two women have both been caricatured.

Read more on BBC

One worrisome trend, they said, is the production of highly caricatured “War of Resistance god-tier dramas” that feature ludicrously unrealistic story lines and scenes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cartoon 
• farce 
• parody 
• satire