caricature

1 of 2

noun

car·​i·​ca·​ture ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r 

-ˌchər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r,

ˈka-ri-

1

: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics

drew a caricature of the president

2

: a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature

His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.

3

: a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature

The kangaroo court was a caricature of justice.

caricatural

ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl 

-ˈchər-

-ˈtyu̇r-

-ˈtu̇r-

ˌka-ri-

adjective

caricaturist

ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist 

-ˌchər-

-ˌtyu̇r-

-ˌtu̇r-

ˈka-ri-

noun

caricature

2 of 2

verb

caricatured; caricaturing

transitive verb

: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature

the portrait caricatured its subject

The comedian caricatured the governor as a pompous know-it-all.

Synonyms

Noun

• parody
• joke
• cartoon
• sham

Verb

• parody
• mock
• imitate

Choose the Right Synonym for caricature

caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty mean a comic or grotesque imitation.

caricature implies ludicrous exaggeration of the characteristic features of a subject.

caricatures of politicians in cartoons

burlesque implies mockery especially through giving a serious or lofty subject a frivolous treatment.

a nightclub burlesque of a trial in court

parody applies especially to treatment of a trivial or ludicrous subject in the exactly imitated style of a well-known author or work.

a witty parody of a popular novel

travesty implies that the subject remains unchanged but that the style is extravagant or absurd.

this production is a travesty of the opera

Examples of caricature in a Sentence

Noun

An artist was doing caricatures in the park.

His performance in the film was a caricature of a hard-boiled detective.

The interview made her into a caricature of a struggling artist.

Verb

The press caricatured him as clumsy and forgetful.

caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On the Cielo Point Lawn, there’s a variety of family activities, including a caricature artist, a tie-dye station to create colorful T-shirts, watermelon eating contests, and more. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025

The rapport between these two veteran actors turn what could have been seriously dodgy caricatures into a first-rate double act — think Abbott and Costello with sidecurls and silencers. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2025

Verb

South Park also used gay stereotypes to attack homophobia with Big Gay Al, making fun of hippies when Cartman goes to San Francisco, caricaturing blind faith in big business with the Underpants Gnomes. —Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 30 Aug. 2025

The show’s first limp wrist belongs to a novelty teapot caricaturing Wilde as a man-woman. —Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 15 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare

First Known Use

Noun

1712, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1771, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing caricature

• self-caricature

Kids Definition

caricature

1 of 2 noun

car·​i·​ca·​ture ˈkar-i-kə-ˌchu̇(ə)r 

-ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r

1

: exaggeration of the actions, parts, or features of someone or something usually for comic or satirical effect

2

: something (as a drawing) produced by using caricature

3

: something that seems like a caricature

caricature

2 of 2 verb

caricatured; caricaturing

: to make or draw a caricature of

caricaturist

-ˌchu̇r-əst

-ˌt(y)u̇r-əst

noun