caricature

/ˈkɛrɪkətʃər/

/ˈkærɪkətʃə/

Other forms: caricatures; caricatured; caricaturing

A caricature is a satirical, exaggerated portrayal of a person. You'd better not caricature your father by walking bent-over and speaking in his high voice. If he catches you, you'll be in trouble!

An exaggeration of a person's character results in a caricature. While this might help you to remember its meaning, don't let the spelling confuse you. Character has an "h" but caricature does not. If you're so excited about something that you feel a little out of control, you might seem like a caricature of yourself to your friends. You can use this word as a verb too. Presidents and other prominent politicians are often caricatured in political cartoons.

Definitions of caricature

1. noun

   a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
   synonyms: imitation, impersonation

   types:

   mock-heroic

   a satirical imitation of heroic verse

   burlesque, charade, lampoon, mockery, parody, pasquinade, put-on, sendup, spoof, takeoff, travesty

   a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way

   type of:

   humor, humour, wit, witticism, wittiness

   a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
2. verb

   represent a person with comic exaggeration
   “The drawing caricatured the President”

   synonyms: ape

   type of:

   mock

   imitate with mockery and derision