The word "charade" is spelled /ʃəˈreɪd/. The initial sound is represented by the letter combination "ch", which is pronounced like /ʃ/. The second syllable contains the long vowel sound /eɪ/, represented by the letters "a" and "e". The final syllable is pronounced with the unstressed vowel sound /ə/, represented by the letter "a". The spelling of "charade" may be confusing because it contains silent letters, such as the final "e" and the "r" in the second syllable.
Charade is a noun that refers to a form of wordplay in which participants act out the syllables or individual sounds of a word or phrase as a clue to others who must guess the complete word or phrase. It is typically played as a party game or form of entertainment. In a charade, one or more individuals subtly mime or pantomime the underlying meaning of a word or phrase, while the others attempt to decipher or interpret the actions to determine the correct answer. This word guessing game usually requires a combination of physical gestures, facial expressions, and creative imagination to convey the intended message accurately.
The term "charade" can also describe a situation or event that is deceptive or misleading, often carried out with the intention to confuse or trick others. In this context, a charade portrays a false appearance or pretense, often masking one's true intentions or feelings. It may involve engaging in a deliberate act or display of behavior in order to appear as something or someone different from who or what one actually is. For instance, an individual might put on a charade of cheerfulness despite feeling sad inside. In such cases, a charade serves as a façade or disguise, often used as a means of protection, avoidance, or manipulation.
A riddle; a witty playing on the syllables of a word, and then on the word itself.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "charade" is derived from the French word "charade", which originally comes from the Latin word "charada". The Latin term was derived from "charades", meaning "a song with a refrain". "Charades" itself was influenced by the Greek word "charadzein", meaning "to sing with a harp". Over time, the meaning of "charade" evolved to refer to a form of word game or entertainment in which participants act out, imitate, or give hints about a secret word or phrase.