charade

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a composition that imitates or misrepresents somebody's style, usually in a humorous way
  2. noun a word acted out in an episode of the game of charades

Etymology

From French charade, charrade (“prattle, idle conversation; a kind of riddle”), probably from Occitan charrada (“conversation; chatter”), from charrar (“to chat; to chatter”) + -ada. As a round of the game, originally a clipping of acting charade but now usually understood and formed as a back-formation from charades.

In classic literature

Synonyms

parody, lampoon, spoof, sendup, mockery, takeoff, burlesque, travesty, pasquinade, put-on

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