Cartoon Meaning
Cartoon Definition & Usage
A cartoon is a form of visual art, typically characterized by humorous, exaggerated illustrations or animations, often with a satirical or comic purpose. Cartoons can be static drawings or animated sequences, frequently used in entertainment or commentary.
Examples
- "The children watched their favorite cartoon on TV every Saturday morning."
- "The artist drew a cartoon of the president, poking fun at his latest speech."
- "I love watching cartoons because they always make me laugh."
- "He used cartoons in the newspaper to provide social commentary on current events."
- "She drew a cartoon character that became popular online."
A cartoon can also refer to a comic strip or comic book, often featuring humorous or adventurous characters.
Examples
- "I love reading cartoons in the Sunday paper."
- "The superhero cartoon series has gained a huge fan following."
- "The children spent hours reading cartoons from a comic book."
- "His favorite cartoon character is a mischievous alien who always gets into trouble."
- "She collects vintage cartoons from the 1950s."
A cartoon can also refer to a preliminary sketch or drawing used for planning larger artworks, often serving as a mock-up for paintings, murals, or animations.
Examples
- "The artist sketched a cartoon of the mural before starting on the full painting."
- "The architect created a cartoon of the building's design to showcase the concept."
- "Before the animation began, the studio created several cartoons to decide on character designs."
- "She drew a cartoon of the house before making the final architectural plans."
- "The team used cartoons to brainstorm ideas for the new advertisement."
Cultural Context
The word 'cartoon' originates from the Italian 'cartone', meaning 'big paper', and was first used in the 16th century to describe a preparatory drawing for a painting or tapestry. Over time, it evolved into a term used for humorous illustrations and animated films. The word has become especially associated with entertainment, particularly children's TV shows and comic strips.
The Great Cartoon Adventure
Story
The Great Cartoon Adventure
On a bright Saturday morning, Lily sat on the couch, eagerly flipping through the pages of her favorite comic book. Her eyes were glued to the cartoon characters—heroes and villains locked in a dramatic battle. She had always loved how the exaggerated features of the characters, with their big eyes and mischievous smiles, made the story feel larger than life. Her younger brother, Max, giggled as he watched his favorite animated series on TV. The characters in his cartoon were constantly getting into ridiculous situations, making him laugh out loud every few minutes. As they settled in, their mom called from the kitchen. 'Hey kids, do you want to help me draw a cartoon for the school's art fair?' she asked. Lily jumped up. 'Of course! Let's make a cartoon version of our dog!' Together, they spent the next hour sketching a cartoon of their dog, Max, with oversized ears and a mischievous grin. Later that afternoon, the family gathered around a large piece of cardboard, preparing for the mural that Lily's mom had been commissioned to paint. Before starting the final artwork, Lily's mom had drawn a rough cartoon of the scene—a sketch of a cityscape with a giant dog happily running through it. 'This is just the cartoon version,' she explained. 'The final mural will have all the details.' As the day came to a close, Lily realized how much she loved cartoons in all their forms—whether they were animated series, comic strips, or sketches that helped bring big ideas to life.
Related Words
