4 syllables: Ca, ri, ca, ture. Stress on Ca.
KER-uh-kuh-chur
/ˈkɛɹəkətʃɚ/
Caricature is pronounced KER-uh-kuh-chur (/ˈkɛɹəkətʃɚ/). It has four syllables (Ca-ri-ca-ture), with the stress on "Ca". Caricature is a noun for a distorted, exaggerated representation of a person or thing, often drawn or described to emphasize distinctive features or traits. It can also refer to such a portrayal in any medium, typically highlighting humor or critique. The term implies a deliberate exaggeration that preserves recognizable likeness while amplifying characteristics for effect.
nounCaricature is a noun for a distorted, exaggerated representation of a person or thing, often drawn or described to emphasize distinctive features or traits. It can also refer to such a portrayal in any medium, typically highlighting humor or critique. The term implies a deliberate exaggeration that preserves recognizable likeness while amplifying characteristics for effect.
"The artist drew a caricature of the mayor with oversized ears and a jutting chin."
"Political cartoons often use caricature to lampoon public figures."
"Her caricature of the boss in the newsletter was funny but pointed."
Pronounce as /ˈkærɪkətʃəɹ/ in US, /ˈkærɪkətjə/ in UK, and /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃɜː/ in Australian. Stress on the first syllable: KA-rik-uh-chur. Break it into four segments: car-uh- (KAR-ih-kuh) + -ture (tuch-ər). Focus on the ‘car’ with a short a, then a quick, unstressed ‘i’ before a light ‘k’ and ‘ture’ turning into a palatal ‘ch’ sound. You’ll often hear a tiny schwa in the second syllable in rapid speech. IPA guides: US /ˈkærɪkətʃɚ/, UK /ˈkærɪkətjə/, AU /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃɜː/.
Common errors: 1) Dropping the /tʃ/ element or turning it into /k/ or /t/; 2) Misplacing the stress, saying ca-RI-ca-ture or car-ih-KA-chur; 3) Using a long ‘a’ as in ‘care’ rather than the short /æ/ in first syllable. To correct: anchor the first syllable with a clear /æ/ and end with a crisp /tʃ/ followed by a schwa or rhotacized ending depending on dialect. Practice with minimal pairs: car-ɪ- (care-ih) vs ca-ɪ- (kah-ree) patterns; record and compare with native audio.
US: rhotic /ɚ/ ending in ‘-ture’ can sound like [ˈkærɪkətɃɚ], with a rhotic coda in many dialects. UK: non-rhotic ending; /ˈkærɪkətjə/, with a clearer /tʃ/ transition before the final /ə/. AU: often reduced vowel quality; /ˈkæɹɪkəˌtʃɜː/ with a darker, broader vowel in the final syllable and a stronger non-rhotic or semi-rhotic finishing depending on region. Across accents you’ll notice the middle /ɪ/ slightly shorter in US, sometimes reduced to a near-schwa; final /tʃə/ tends to blend more in UK and AU.
Key challenges are the cluster /kə-tʃ/ at the end and the unstressed middle syllable. The /ɪ/ in the second syllable is brief, and the /tʃ/ blends quickly with the following schwa; misplacing stress or softening /t/ to a /d/ can blur the word. Tip: practice ɪ-tʃ contrasts with ɪ-ʃ patterns; maintain crisp /t/ before /ʃ/ and keep the first syllable stressed. Listen to native references and imitate the tempo: KA-rə-kə-tʃə.
The word contains a palatalized /tʃ/ immediately after a syllable break and an ending that often becomes a reduced vowel in fluent speech. Speakers may merge /tʃ/ with following /ə/ or drop the final /ə/ in rapid speech, especially in non-formal registers. Emphasize the /tʃ/ sound clearly and allow the final vowel to relax into a light, non-syllabic ending in quick talk, maintaining the four-syllable rhythm.
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Caricature comes from the Italian caricatura, from caricare ‘to load, exaggerate’ related to caricatura ‘exaggerated portrait.’ The root caricare combines carca ‘load’ and the idea of coloring or embellishing. The term entered English in the 17th century, initially in the sense of exaggerated depiction in painting. By the 18th century it broadened to describe any portrait drawn to emphasize distinctive traits for satirical effect. The word’s semantic shift from “exaggerated drawing” to “humorous or critical portrayal” mirrors the era’s satirical print culture. First recorded English usage appears in late 17th century texts, with early examples in art criticism describing exaggerated portraits. Over time, caricature expanded into literature, film, and digital media, retaining its core idea: a faithful likeness that is deliberately distorted to highlight character or behavior while remaining recognizable as the subject.
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Words that rhyme with "Caricature"
-ure sounds
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