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noun Uncommon

caricature

KA-rih-kuh-choor
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Caricature (noun) means a drawing or description that exaggerates someone's features for comic or critical effect. Example: “The street artist drew a caricature of the tourist with an enormous nose.”

noun
1
A drawing or description that exaggerates someone's features for comic or critical effect.
"The street artist drew a caricature of the tourist with an enormous nose."
"The cartoon was a caricature of the senator, mocking his stiff speaking style."
2
An exaggerated or absurd version of something, distorting it beyond recognition.
"The film reduced the historical figure to a caricature."
verb
1
To portray someone or something in an exaggerated, often mocking way.
"The satirist loved to caricature politicians in his weekly column."

How to use caricature

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn exaggerated portrait or portrayal that pokes fun at someone's most obvious traits.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "character" — the words look similar but come from entirely different roots.

Easily confused with
character →
Common pairings
draw a caricature a political caricature reduced to a caricature
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Word forms

Plural
caricatures
Third person singular
caricatures
Past tense
caricatured
Test yourself on “caricature” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The street artist drew a _____ of the tourist with an enormous nose.

Etymology

From French caricature, from Italian caricatura, ultimately from Latin carrus ("cart, load") — via the idea of "loading" or exaggerating someone's features. Not related to the word "character," despite the resemblance.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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ape imitation impersonation

Related words

model copy fake artificial synthetic simulation mock gorilla

Rhymes for caricature

pure cure sure azure nature future manure secure impure injure figure allure
See all rhymes for caricature →

Frequently asked questions

What does “caricature” mean?
The word “caricature” means a drawing or description that exaggerates someone's features for comic or critical effect. In plain terms, an exaggerated portrait or portrayal that pokes fun at someone's most obvious traits.
How do you pronounce “caricature”?
“Caricature” is pronounced KA-rih-kuh-choor (/ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “caricature” in a sentence?
Here is “caricature” used in a sentence: “The street artist drew a caricature of the tourist with an enormous nose.”
What part of speech is “caricature”?
Depending on how it is used, “caricature” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “caricature” come from?
The word “caricature” comes from Latin. From French caricature, from Italian caricatura, ultimately from Latin carrus ("cart, load") — via the idea of "loading" or exaggerating someone's features. Not related to the word "character," despite the resemblance.
Is “caricature” a common word?
“Caricature” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “caricature” have?
“Caricature” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a drawing or description that exaggerates someone's features for comic or critical effect.

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