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; charge ) + -ura -ure

Example Sentences

It’s the second time Hernández has played the comedian, whose caricature of Maniscalco in a red blazer and black turtleneck is at turns spot on, exaggerated and completely hilarious.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Even George W. Bush — the bumbling boardwalk caricature that he is — could deliver a State of the Union address without going off-prompter.

From Salon • Mar. 11, 2026

Instead of leaning into cliché or whitewashing, he radiated dignity, cultural pride and a new kind of Black romantic masculinity—sensual without becoming caricature.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 31, 2026

Those who have shared rounds with Paul acknowledge he offers more than the caricature suggests.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

Since he did not hesitate to explain his position in public every time he had the chance, for everyone but his own co-religionists he soon became a caricature of the picturesque, reactionary oligarch.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• cartoon
• farce
• parody
• satire