noun
charade
shuh-RAHD
Charade (noun) means an act or pretence that is obvious and unconvincing, meant to create a false impression. Example: “The whole meeting was a charade — the decision had already been made.”
noun
1
An act or pretence that is obvious and unconvincing, meant to create a false impression.
"The whole meeting was a charade — the decision had already been made."
How to use charade
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA transparent pretence that fools no one.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "charades" (the party guessing game) — a "charade" (singular) usually means a fake performance or deception.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a political charade
keep up the charade
the whole charade
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Word forms
- Plural
- charades
- Third person singular
- charades
- Past tense
- charaded
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole meeting was a _____ — the decision had already been made.
Etymology
From French charade, probably from Occitan charrada ("chat, chatter"), from charrar ("to chat").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for charade
See all rhymes for charade →Frequently asked questions
What does “charade” mean?
The word “charade” means an act or pretence that is obvious and unconvincing, meant to create a false impression. In plain terms, a transparent pretence that fools no one.
How do you pronounce “charade”?
“Charade” is pronounced shuh-RAHD (/ʃəˈɹeɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “charade” in a sentence?
Here is “charade” used in a sentence: “The whole meeting was a charade — the decision had already been made.”
What part of speech is “charade”?
“Charade” is a noun.
Where does the word “charade” come from?
The word “charade” comes from French. From French charade, probably from Occitan charrada ("chat, chatter"), from charrar ("to chat").
