charade

cha-rade · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    An absurd pretense intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance.

  2. 2.

    (usually plural: charades) A party game in which players guess a word or phrase from pantomimed clues.

Forms

plural: charades

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    keep up the charade — to continue pretending
  • •
    play charades — to engage in the guessing game

Related words

Antonyms: authenticity, reality, truth
See also: facade, game, pantomime, pretense
Synonyms: facade, farce, pretense, sham

Etymology

From French charade, a word game originating in 18th-century France. The French word may derive from Provençal charrada ("conversation") from charrá ("to chat, chatter"). The meaning of "absurd pretense" developed from the theatrical nature of the game.