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)

, car·i·ca·tured, car·i·ca·tur·ing.

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 .

Derived Forms

• ˈcaricaˌtural, adjective
• ˈcaricaˌturist, noun

Other Words From

• cari·ca·tur·a·ble adjective
• cari·ca·tural adjective
• cari·ca·tur·ist noun
• self-cari·ca·ture noun
• semi·cari·ca·tural adjective
• un·cari·ca·tured 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

King argued that Sophy’s proof of emotional distress “consists entirely of invoking the racist caricature that depicts Black men, like Young, as inherently violent.”

From Los Angeles Times

I think many of them would be blown away because they’ve been fed a distorted caricature of feminism and racial justice as based in man-hating and white guilt.

From Salon

Marvel star Stan avoids portraying Trump as a caricature villain in the film, or in the exaggerated, comedic way Trump is often presented by impressionists.

From BBC

“I am a capitalist,” she added, presumably to reassure moderate voters who have heard Trump caricature her as a “radical Marxist lunatic.”

From Los Angeles Times

The fleshy auriculae protruding on either side of my head are a caricature artist’s dream.

From Salon

Related Words

• cartoon
• farce
• parody
• satire