A cartoon is a drawing with a simple, exaggerated style that's meant to be funny, entertaining, or make a point. The word covers several different things:

1. Animated shows and movies where drawings appear to move, like Tom and Jerry or The Lion King. Artists create thousands of slightly different drawings, then show them quickly one after another to create the illusion of movement. Modern cartoons are often made on computers, but the principle is the same.
2. Comic strips in newspapers or online, usually telling a joke or short story in a few panels. Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, and Garfield are famous examples. These cartoons use both pictures and words to tell their stories.
3. Single-panel drawings that make a joke or political comment, often found in newspapers and magazines. The Far Side and cartoons in The New Yorker are classic examples. Political cartoons use humor and exaggeration to comment on current events and politicians.

Today, when someone draws you as a cartoon, they're usually emphasizing your most recognizable features in a fun, exaggerated way.