cartoon

[ kahr-toon ]

/ kɑrˈtun /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: cartoon / cartooned / cartooning / cartoons 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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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. 2023

How to use cartoon in a sentence

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 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
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
There he continued cartooning, made a living at it, and even developed a cult following.
Edward Snowden Risks Sharing Fate of Kim Philby, Guy Burgess & More|Malcolm Jones|July 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It was many years before regular political cartooning fell to his lot.
The History of "Punch"|M. H. Spielmann
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
With which Molly Brandeis unconsciously defined the art of cartooning.
Fanny Herself|Edna Ferber
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

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

cartoon

Origin of cartoon

OTHER WORDS FROM cartoon

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH cartoon

Words related to cartoon

How to use cartoon in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cartoon

Derived forms of cartoon

Word Origin for cartoon