First Known Use: 1712
Dictionary
1caricature
noun car·i·ca·ture \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r, -ˌchər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r, -ˈka-ri-\
: 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
Full Definition of CARICATURE
1
: exaggeration by means of often ludicrous distortion of parts or characteristics
2
: a representation especially in literature or art that has the qualities of caricature
3
: a distortion so gross as to seem like caricature
— car·i·ca·tur·al \ˌker-i-kə-ˈchu̇r-əl, -ˈchər-, -ˈtyu̇r-, -ˈtu̇r-, -ˌka-ri-\ adjective
— car·i·ca·tur·ist \ˈker-i-kə-ˌchu̇r-ist, -ˌchər-, -ˌtyu̇r-, -ˌtu̇r-, -ˈka-ri-\ noun
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Origin of CARICATURE
Italian caricatura, literally, act of loading, from caricare to load, from Late Latin carricare
Related to CARICATURE
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
2caricature
verb
: to do a caricature of (someone or something) : to draw or describe (someone or something) in a funny or exaggerated way
caricaturedcaricatur·ing
Full Definition of CARICATURE
transitive verb
: to make or draw a caricature of : represent in caricature <the portrait caricatured its subject>
See caricature defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of CARICATURE
circa 1771
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