Caricature Meaning and Definition
Caricature
Pronunciation
/kærɪˈkætʃər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A humorous or exaggerated representation of a person or thing, often satirical or ironic, typically created through distortion or simplification.
Examples
- The cartoonist created a caricature of the politician to criticize his policies.
- The caricature of the famous actor was wildly distorted, but still recognizable.
Synonyms
- Portrait
- Sketch
- Satire
Antonyms
- Realism
- Accuracy
Etymology
The word “caricature” comes from the Italian word “caricatura”, which means “loading” or “exaggeration”, and is derived from the verb “caricare”, meaning “to load” or “to burden”.
Usage Notes
When using the term “caricature”, it’s important to distinguish it from other forms of representation, such as portraiture or satire.
Cultural References
Caricatures have appeared in various forms of media, including comics, cartoons, and satirical works.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“In a nutshell” or “in brief” can be used as idiomatic expressions.
Related Words or Phrases
- Satire
- Sarcasm
- Ironic
Collocations
- Political caricature
- Celebrity caricature
- Caricature portrait
Frequency of Use
The term “caricature” is commonly used in creative and artistic contexts, and is often employed in discussions of comedy and satire.
Common Misspellings
- Carikature
- Carriature
- Carachuere