n.
Pronunciation: sh ə - ' r ā d, - ' räd
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Occitan charrado chat, from charrá to chat, chatter
Date: 1776
1 : a word represented in riddling verse or by picture, tableau, or dramatic action
2 plural : a game in which some of the players try to guess a word or phrase from the actions of another player who may not speak
3 : an empty or deceptive act or pretense <his concern was a charade >