VocabDictionary

charade

/ʃəˈrɑːd/intermediate Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

An absurdly false show, pretense, or imitation intended to create a respectable appearance.

Example Sentences:
  • Their happy marriage was just a charade to hide their impending divorce.
  • Stop playing this charade and tell me what you really think.
2.noun

A game in which players guess a word or phrase represented by pantomime.

Example Sentences:
  • We spent the evening playing charades by the fireplace.
  • She acted out the movie title brilliantly in the game of charades.
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English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “charade”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived from the French word 'charade', originally meaning 'a riddle' or 'chatter', perhaps ultimately from Provençal 'charrar' meaning 'to converse' or 'to chatter'. In the 19th century, the meaning shifted from a word puzzle game to acting out syllables of words silently, and later broadened to describe any deceptive or insincere action.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'car' on a 'parade': driving a fake car in a parade is all for show—just like a charade.

Frequently Asked Questions About “charade

1. What is the meaning of “charade” in English?

In English, charade (noun) is defined as: “An absurdly false show, pretense, or imitation intended to create a respectable appearance.”.

2. How do you use “charade” in a sentence?

Their happy marriage was just a charade to hide their impending divorce.

3. What are English synonyms of “charade”?

Common synonyms include:pretense,farce,masquerade,sham,illusion

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “charade”?

Derived from the French word 'charade', originally meaning 'a riddle' or 'chatter', perhaps ultimately from Provençal 'charrar' meaning 'to converse' or 'to chatter'. In the 19th century, the meaning shifted from a word puzzle game to acting out syllables of words silently, and later broadened to describe any deceptive or insincere action.