noun / verb
caricature
KAIR-ih-kuh-chur/ˈkærɪkətʃər/
A portrayal that exaggerates distinctive features for comic effect.
The artist’s caricature exaggerates the sitter’s nose.
Etymology
Italian caricatura literally meant “an overloading.” Applied to a portrayal, this became the idea of loading characteristic features with so much emphasis that the likeness turns into comic exaggeration.
In context
histrionics are the quintessential drama queens they are theatrical their emotions exaggerated to the point of caricature their gestures are sweeping disproportional and inappropriate
More examples
- The sketch caricatured the mayor’s familiar gestures.
- She disliked the caricature’s cruel exaggeration.
- The comedy turns the boss into a caricature of authority.
Forms
caricature · caricatures · caricatured · caricaturing
caricaturist noun — an artist who draws exaggerated portraits