Charade

A charade is a game where one person acts out a word or phrase, often splitting it into syllables or individual words, for others to guess. The goal is to communicate the hidden concept nonverbally, relying on gestures, mime, and performance. Beyond the game, 'charade' can also refer to a pretense, a deceptive act, or a superficial display of emotions or intentions, designed to mislead or conceal the truth. It can describe a situation where appearances are misleading and reality is hidden, used figuratively to represent something that is not genuine. It's a form of playful communication or a deliberate deception where actions speak louder than words.

Charade meaning with examples

• At the party, the host initiated a fun game of charades. Teams took turns acting out movie titles, songs, and books, trying to make their teammates guess correctly without speaking. The laughter and frantic gestures filled the room, providing an evening of entertainment and spirited competition.
• Her polite smile and enthusiastic greeting was a charade, masking her true feelings of annoyance at the unexpected guest. She wanted the visit to end quickly, yet she maintained an appearance of welcoming warmth, hoping to hasten the visitors departure.
• The trial revealed the politician’s claims of integrity as nothing but a carefully constructed charade. Evidence showed corruption and dishonesty beneath the public facade of honesty. The community felt betrayed when the truth finally came to light.
• Despite their disagreements, the couple put on a charade of marital bliss for their families during the holiday gatherings. Their forced smiles and overly affectionate gestures barely masked the underlying tension, leading to a tense atmosphere.