Cartoon: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe illustrated art that is often humorous and found in newspapers, magazines, or as television shows directed at children.

• The kids love watching the cartoon every Saturday morning
• The newspaper featured a funny cartoon of the mayor

Used to describe a drawing or portrayal of a person where certain features are exaggerated to create a humorous or ridiculous effect. Often found in political or social commentary.

• The artist drew a caricature of the famous politician, making his nose and ears comically large
• At the fair, we got a caricature of ourselves that made us laugh

Used to describe a sequence of drawings arranged in interrelated panels that display a brief narrative, typically humorous or adventurous in nature. Found in newspapers, magazines, or online.

• I read the comic strip in the Sunday newspaper every week
• The comic strip follows the adventures of a mischievous boy and his dog

Used to describe a genre of literature, art, or performance that uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock people, politics, or society, often with the intent to bring about change.

• The show is a satire that mocks contemporary political figures and their policies
• The novel uses satire to expose the absurdity of social conventions

This is a general term used to describe a type of illustration, typically humorous in nature. It can refer to both individual drawings in newspapers or magazines and animated films or TV shows.

• I love reading the cartoon section in the newspaper.
• Tom and Jerry is a classic cartoon that everyone enjoys.

This is a broad term that refers to the process or art of creating moving images through various techniques, such as drawing, CGI, or stop-motion. It can also refer to the final product.

• He is studying animation in college.
• The animation in 'Frozen' is really stunning.

This term is more specific and refers to a series of animated episodes, often with an ongoing storyline or recurring characters. Suitable for discussing TV shows aimed at various age groups from children to adults.

• 'The Simpsons' is an animated series that has been on air for over 30 years.
• 'Avatar: The Last Airbender' is an animated series loved by both kids and adults.

This term is used to describe a TV show that features cartoon characters and animations, typically aimed at children. It has a more informal tone but is essentially interchangeable with 'animated series'.

• SpongeBob SquarePants is a hilarious cartoon show.
• My little brother watches a cartoon show every morning.