plural cartoons
1
: a preparatory design, drawing, or painting (as for a fresco)
2
a
: a drawing intended as satire, caricature, or humor
a political cartoon
a cartoon drawing
b
: a group of drawings in narrative sequence : comic strip
3
: a video (such as a television show or movie) that is made from a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of inanimate objects (such as puppets) and that simulates movement by slight progressive changes in each frame : animated cartoon
4
: a ludicrously simplistic, unrealistic, or one-dimensional portrayal or version
The film's villain is an entertaining cartoon.
cartoon
verb
cartoonishly
adverb
Examples of cartoon in a Sentence
She enjoys reading the cartoons in the Sunday paper.
The kids are watching cartoons.
Recent Examples on the Web
After Uncle Sam got on the motorcycle, as previously seen on every night of both residencies, there was an edit, and then a cut right to the skeletal avatar driving around a neon cartoon rendering of the streets of Las Vegas.
—
Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
Aaliyah’s Interlude dropped a banger new song with Rhea Raj and went full cartoon character with a glittering star face decal and golden grillz, and Parker Posey brought Hollywood glam and a statement lip to a glitzy New York opening.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
As of March 16, the studio has removed the Looney Tunes cartoon shorts library (released 1930-1969), starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, and Wile E. Coyote from streaming service Max.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Engaging visuals, like cartoon characters or friendly animal mascots, can make your website and brochures more appealing to children.
—Ajay Prasad, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
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Chris Willman, Variety, 22 Mar. 2025
Aaliyah’s Interlude dropped a banger new song with Rhea Raj and went full cartoon character with a glittering star face decal and golden grillz, and Parker Posey brought Hollywood glam and a statement lip to a glitzy New York opening.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2025
As of March 16, the studio has removed the Looney Tunes cartoon shorts library (released 1930-1969), starring Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, and Wile E. Coyote from streaming service Max.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025
Engaging visuals, like cartoon characters or friendly animal mascots, can make your website and brochures more appealing to children.
—Ajay Prasad, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cartoon
Cite this Entry
“Cartoon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cartoon. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cartoon
noun
car·toon
kär-ˈtün 
1
: a design, drawing, or painting made as a model for the finished work
2
a
: a drawing intended as a humorous comment on public affairs
b
3
Etymology
from Italian cartone "pasteboard, a sketch of a planned drawing or painting done on heavy paper," from carta "sheet of paper," from Latin charta "piece of papyrus" — related to card entry 3, carton
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