charades
charades Lexical Profile
charades Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A popular parlor game in which one player pantomimes a secret word or phrase, often syllable by syllable, while other players attempt to guess it.
"After dinner, the family gathered in the living room to play a lively game of charades."
Absurd pretenses, deceptions, or travesties intended to create a pleasant or respectable appearance (plural of charade).
"Everyone at the meeting grew tired of the endless political charades and demanded honest answers."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the parlor game, 'charades' is plural in form but treated as a singular noun taking a singular verb. It is also famous for a prominent pronunciation divide: American English favors a 'sh' start and a long 'a' sound, while British English typically uses a soft 'ah' sound in the second syllable.
• Rhymes for charades
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 18th century from French 'charade', which was derived from Provençal 'charrado' meaning 'a chatter' or 'long talk', from the verb 'charrar' (to chatter).