Definition

1. Noun:

   • A picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated or distorted for comic or grotesque effect: A caricature is a representation that simplifies and amplifies distinctive features to create a humorous or critical portrayal.

2. Verb:

   • To make or give a caricature of; to represent in an exaggerated or distorted way: To caricature someone or something is to depict them with exaggerated features for satirical effect.

Usage

• As a Noun: Used to refer to the exaggerated image or description itself.
• As a Verb: Used to describe the act of creating such an exaggerated representation.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The magazine's cover featured a cruel caricature of the politician.
  • He is a master of political caricature.
• Verb:
  • The cartoonist mercilessly caricatured the CEO's famous mannerisms.
  • Her style of writing often caricatures the pretensions of high society.

Advanced Usage

• "to be/become a caricature of oneself": To act in such an exaggerated or predictable way that one seems like a parody of one's own typical behavior.
  • In his later years, the once-subtle actor became a caricature of his former screen persona.

Variants and Related Words

• Caricaturist (n): An artist who specializes in drawing caricatures.
  • The newspaper hired a famous caricaturist for its editorial page.

Synonyms

• Noun: Cartoon, parody, satire, lampoon, burlesque.
• Verb: Satirize, parody, lampoon, mock, exaggerate.

Antonyms

• Noun/Verb: Photograph, portrait; represent accurately, depict faithfully.

Idioms and Phrases

• "A living caricature": A person who embodies exaggerated traits to such a degree that they resemble a drawn caricature.
  • With his wild hair and booming voice, the professor was a living caricature of an absent-minded genius.

Noun

1. a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

Verb

1. represent in or produce a caricature of
   • The drawing caricatured the President