English Explanatory Dictionary

caricature

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A pictorial representation of someone in which distinguishing features are exaggerated for comic effect.
  2. A grotesque misrepresentation.
  3. In facial recognition systems, a face that has been modified to look less like the average face, and thus more distinctive.
adj
  1. Having the characteristics of a caricature, grotesque.
verb
  1. To represent someone in an exaggerated or distorted manner.

Pronunciation

/ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/ /ˈkɛɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/ /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃʊɚ/ /kəˈɹɪkət͡ʃɚ/ /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃʊə/ /ˌkæɹɪkəˈtʃʊə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-caricature.wav

Word forms

caricature caricatures caricatura caricaturing caricatured

Etymology

From French caricature, from Italian caricatura, ultimately from Latin carrus, and so not related to character, which is instead ultimately from Ancient Greek χαρακτήρ (kharaktḗr, “type, nature, character”).

Derived words

anticaricature caricature plant caricaturise caricaturisation caricaturish caricaturable caricaturist uncaricatured
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