noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

farce

fahrs

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Farce (noun) means a comic play or film built on absurd situations, mistaken identity, slamming doors and characters behaving with wild improbability, written purely to get laughs rather than to say anything serious. Example: “The theatre is staging a Victorian farce with six doors and four sets of trousers.”

noun

A comic play or film built on absurd situations, mistaken identity, slamming doors and characters behaving with wild improbability, written purely to get laughs rather than to say anything serious.

"The theatre is staging a Victorian farce with six doors and four sets of trousers."

"It starts as a tender romance and collapses into full-blown farce by the second act."

"The play is a farce about mistaken identities at a wedding."

A situation or process so badly handled or so obviously rigged that it cannot be taken seriously.

"The election was a farce — two of the three candidates were disqualified the night before."

"Calling that meeting a consultation is a farce."

"The trial descended into a farce after the key witness vanished."

technical In cookery, a seasoned stuffing of minced meat, herbs or breadcrumbs used to fill poultry, fish or vegetables.

"Spoon the farce into the boned chicken and truss it tightly."

How to use farce

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA silly comedy — or something so badly run it is a joke.

When to use it

Neutral as a theatrical term; sharply critical in the 'sham' sense. The adjective is farcical.

Memory tip

Note the spelling: farce, not 'farse'. The related adjective is farcical, not 'farceful'.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

force → farcical → parody →

Common pairings

a complete farce descend into farce bedroom farce make a farce of farcical scenes

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: farces

Test yourself on “farce” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The theatre is staging a Victorian _____ with six doors and four sets of trousers.

Etymology

From French farce, literally 'stuffing', from Latin farcire 'to stuff'. Comic interludes were originally 'stuffed' into the gaps between the acts of serious religious plays, and the name of the filling transferred to the joke.

Origin: French

Synonyms

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travesty forcemeat farce comedy comedy slapstick burlesque buffoonery sham mockery charade stuffing

Antonyms

tragedy drama

Related words

play real copy joke laugh drama describe theatre

Rhymes for farce

scarce Pearce

See all rhymes for farce →

Frequently asked questions

What does “farce” mean?

The word “farce” means a comedy built on exaggerated, improbable situations. In plain terms, either a silly, exaggerated comedy, or a real situation so badly handled it becomes absurd.

What is the difference between a farce and a comedy?

Comedy is the whole category of writing meant to amuse; farce is one narrow style within it. A farce relies on improbable situations, physical business and escalating confusion rather than on wit or character, so all farces are comedies but most comedies are not farces.

How do you pronounce “farce”?

“Farce” is pronounced fahs (/fɑɹs/ in IPA).

What is the difference between a farce and a parody?

A farce invents an absurd situation of its own and plays it at high speed. A parody imitates a specific existing work, person or style in order to mock it, so a parody always needs a target while a farce does not.

How do you use “farce” in a sentence?

Here is “farce” used in a sentence: “The play is a farce about mistaken identities at a wedding.”

Why do people call a trial or election a farce?

Because the outcome looks decided in advance and the procedure is only for show, which makes the whole thing feel staged rather than real. Saying it is a farce means the process was theatre, not a genuine test.

What part of speech is “farce”?

“Farce” is a noun.

Where does the word “farce” come from?

The word “farce” comes from Latin. From Old French farse, "stuffing," from Latin farcire, "to stuff" — the comic-theatre sense grew from the idea of stuffing a play with jokes and business, the same way you'd stuff a dish.

Is “farce” a common word?

“Farce” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “farce” have?

“Farce” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a comedy built on exaggerated, improbable situations.

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