charades: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2neutral
Quick answer
What does “charades” mean?
A parlor game in which players try to guess a word or phrase from silent, acted clues.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A parlor game in which players try to guess a word or phrase from silent, acted clues.
Any pretense, absurd act, or ridiculous piece of behavior that is clearly artificial or misleading.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game is equally common and identically named in both varieties. The metaphorical use is more frequent in American English.
Connotations
In its game sense, it connotes light-hearted fun. Metaphorically, it carries a strong negative connotation of falseness and mockery.
Frequency
The metaphorical sense ('a farce', 'a pretense') is significantly more common than references to the actual game.
Grammar
How to Use “charades” in a Sentence
play + charades (for an activity)The + charades + (of) + noun phrase (for metaphor)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “charades” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We're going to charade our way through this meeting, I suppose.
American English
- He just charaded his way through the interview.
adverb
British English
- He answered charadely, with exaggerated gestures.
American English
- She acted charadingly throughout the ordeal.
adjective
British English
- His charade-like behavior fooled no one.
American English
- She gave a charade performance of contrition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'The negotiations were a complete charade designed to stall for time.'
Academic
Used metaphorically in political science/history: 'The election was a charade to legitimize the regime.'
Everyday
Primarily refers to the party game: 'We played charades after dinner.'
Technical
Rare; not a technical term in any major field.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “charades”
- Using the singular 'a charade' to refer to the game (incorrect: 'Let's play a charade.')
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is always used in the plural form when referring to the game. The singular 'charade' is used only in the metaphorical sense (e.g., 'The trial was a charade').
Referring to the game in the singular ('Let's play a charade'). You must say 'play charades' or 'play a game of charades'.
Informally, yes ('to charade' meaning 'to pretend'), but this is rare and stylistically marked. The noun forms are vastly more common.
Yes. Charades is a specific, rule-based guessing game where a single word or phrase is silently acted out. Pantomime is a broader term for silent acting or a type of British Christmas theatrical show.
A parlor game in which players try to guess a word or phrase from silent, acted clues.
Charades is usually neutral in register.
Charades: in British English it is pronounced /ʃəˈrɑːdz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃəˈreɪdz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The whole process was just a charade.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHARED acts' -> In CHARADES, you SHARE your acting to communicate.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS PERFORMANCE (game sense); POLITICS/TRIALS ARE THEATRE (metaphorical sense).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the metaphorical use of 'charades'?