toon

¹ American  

[toon] / tun /

noun

1. an Asian tree, Cedrela toona, of the mahogany family, yielding an aromatic red wood used for furniture, carving, etc.

2. the wood itself.

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toon ² American  

[toon] / tun /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) a character in an animated cartoon.

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toon ¹ British  

/ tuːn /

noun

1. a large meliaceous tree, Cedrela toona, of the East Indies and Australia, having clusters of flowers from which a dye is obtained

2. the close-grained red wood of this tree, used for furniture, carvings, etc

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toon ² British  

/ tuːn /

noun

1. a cartoon character

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Etymology

Origin of toon¹

1800–10; < Hindi tūn < Sanskrit tunna

Origin of toon²

First recorded in 1980–85; shortening of cartoon

Example Sentences

As a writer and storyboard artist, she helped intrepid heroes Jake the Dog and Finn the Human become iconic toon characters.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

Pooh is as much as a gentle sage as he is a round-tummied toon.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 14, 2023

When an unfortunate toon is melted by the cartoon-killing “dip,” the physical concoction smokes and bubbles.

From New York Times • Jul. 9, 2020

Stan Lee — his very nom de toon was invented so Stanley Lieber could save his real name for novels — seemed utterly born for the role of attracting an audience.

From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2018

Hie noticed that Robin kept 19 too, but toon the grunting of Sir Ector and the baa-ing of King Pellinore were left behind.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White