caricature

play

noun car·i·ca·ture \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r, -ˌchər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r, -ˈka-ri-\

Definition of caricature

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

play \ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl, -ˈchər-, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˌka-ri-\ adjective

caricaturist

play \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist, -ˌchər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-, -ˈka-ri-\ noun

See caricature defined for English-language learners

See caricature defined for kids

Examples of caricature in a Sentence

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.

Origin and Etymology of caricature

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

First Known Use: 1712

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

caricature

verb car·i·ca·ture

Definition of caricature

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.

See caricature defined for English-language learners

Examples of caricature in a Sentence

The press caricatured him as clumsy and forgetful.
caricatured the supervisor's distinctive walk

Origin and Etymology of caricature

see ¹caricature

First Known Use: circa 1771

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

CARICATURE Defined for English Language Learners

caricature

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noun

Definition of caricature for English Language Learners

: a drawing that makes someone look funny or foolish because some part of the person's appearance is exaggerated
: someone or something that is very exaggerated in a funny or foolish way