Pronunciation: [kɑːtˈuːnz] (IPA) 
The word "cartoons" is spelled with a "c" and not a "k" because it derives from the Italian word "cartone" with a hard "c" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "cartoons" is /kɑrˈtuːnz/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "ar" sound is represented by the symbol /ɑr/ and the "oo" sound by /uː/. The final "s" is pronounced as /z/ due to the voicing of the preceding sound, making it a voiced consonant.
Cartoons are a form of visual art that conveys narratives or messages through a combination of illustrations, a sequence of frames, and often accompanied by text. They are typically depicted in a simplified, exaggerated, and sometimes comical style, emphasizing visual humor or satire. Cartoons can take various forms such as single-panel cartoons, comic strips, animated cartoons, or even editorial cartoons that comment on current events or social issues.
These illustrations are commonly associated with entertainment and are widely found in newspapers, magazines, comics, graphic novels, and animated television shows or films. Cartoons cater to a broad range of audiences, both children and adults, and can address a wide range of subjects, from light-hearted comedy and adventure to social and political commentary.
The term "cartoon" also encompasses animated films or television shows that bring drawings or computer-generated images to life through the illusion of movement. These animated cartoons are created by seamlessly combining a series of still images, called frames, which are shown in rapid succession. This technique creates the illusion of motion and allows characters and objects to interact in dynamic ways.
Cartoons have become a global phenomenon, transcending cultural barriers and reaching audiences worldwide. They hold a unique place in popular culture, often being used as a medium for storytelling, entertainment, education, and even propaganda.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "cartoon" has an interesting etymology. Its origin can be traced back to the Italian word "cartone", which means a large sheet of paper or cardboard. During the Italian Renaissance, artists used these cartones as templates for creating paintings or frescoes.
In the late 17th century, this term was adopted by English artists to refer to their own preparatory sketches or drawings. These initial sketches were often used as guides when transferring an image onto a larger surface. Over time, the meaning of "cartoon" evolved to refer to any humorous or satirical drawing with bold lines and exaggerated features.
In the early 19th century, the term took on another meaning when it was used to describe animated drawings or sequences of images. This usage became popular with the invention of the animated moving picture in the late 19th century.
