cartoon

[ kahr-toon ]

/ kɑrˈtun /

See synonyms for: cartoon / cartooned / cartooning / cartoonist on Thesaurus.com

noun

a sketch or drawing, usually humorous, as in a newspaper or periodical, symbolizing, satirizing, or caricaturing some action, subject, or person of popular interest.

comic strip.

animated cartoon.

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

resembling a cartoon or caricature: The novel is full of predictable, cartoon characters, never believable as real people.

verb (used with object)

to represent by a cartoon.

verb (used without object)

to draw cartoons.

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Origin of cartoon

First recorded in 1665–75; from Italian cartone “pasteboard, stout paper, a drawing on such paper,” equivalent to cart(a) “paper” (see carte) + -one augmentative suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM cartoon

car·toon·ish, adjectivecar·toon·ist, nounun·car·tooned, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH cartoon

1. burlesque, caricature, cartoon , parody, satire2. carton, cartoon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for cartoon

The game began to remind me of long-forgotten, jokey cartoon platformers of the late 90s and early aughts, like “Jak and Daxter” or “Conker’s Bad Fur Day.”
‘Immortals: Fenyx Rising’ is a worthy adventure wavering between cringe and charm|Gene Park|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
Here, the engine is used to create a painterly, colorful cartoon epic.
‘Immortals: Fenyx Rising’ is a worthy adventure wavering between cringe and charm|Gene Park|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
The content features the usual cartoon suspects — from Queen Elsa and Aladdin to Mickey Mouse.
Gift Guide: 22 STEM toy gift ideas for every little builder|Natasha Lomas|November 23, 2020|TechCrunch
A cartoon puzzle book guides kids through the challenges, making this an entirely screen free way to approach STEM learning.
Gift Guide: 22 STEM toy gift ideas for every little builder|Natasha Lomas|November 23, 2020|TechCrunch

Animaniacs first hit the small screen in 1993, part of a cohort of cartoons that tried to reach young audiences in a whole new way.
The Animaniacs reboot, reviewed: Zany is harder to pull off in 2020|Kate Cox|November 23, 2020|Ars Technica
What I love about cartooning is that I have access to two different kinds of communication.
Alison Bechdel: Genius to Watch Out For|Tim Teeman|September 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I didn't suppose that basking in reflected glory made one a subject for cartooning; if it does, we'll all pose together.
The Vision of Elijah Berl|Frank Lewis Nason
With which Molly Brandeis unconsciously defined the art of cartooning.
Fanny Herself|Edna Ferber
I don't know if you and she ever spoke seriously of this little trick of drawing, or cartooning, or whatever it is you have.
Fanny Herself|Edna Ferber

British Dictionary definitions for cartoon

cartoon

/ (kɑːˈtuːn) /

noun

a humorous or satirical drawing, esp one in a newspaper or magazine, concerning a topical event

Also called: comic strip a sequence of drawings in a newspaper, magazine, etc, relating a comic or adventurous situation

See animated cartoon

a full-size preparatory sketch for a fresco, tapestry, mosaic, etc, from which the final work is traced or copied

Derived forms of cartoon

cartoonist, noun

Word Origin for cartoon

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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cartoon