caricature
/ˈkærɪkətʃʊr/ · car·i·cau·re
noun
- A picture, description, or imitation of a person in which distinctive features are exaggerated for comic or grotesque effect. The newspaper printed a caricature of the mayor that highlighted his oversized nose and tiny eyes.
- An exaggerated representation of any subject, not necessarily visual, that emphasizes certain traits for humorous or critical effect. His speech was a verbal caricature of corporate jargon, full of buzzwords and empty promises.
verb
- To represent (someone or something) in a way that exaggerates distinctive traits for comic or satirical effect. The cartoonist loves to caricature politicians, stretching their ears and shrinking their chins.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? The word’s root, Italian caricare ‘to load’, originally referred to loading a picture with extra detail; early caricatures were used by artists like Leonardo da Vinci to mock rivals.