Cha*rade" (?), n. [F. charade, cf. Pr. charrada long chat, It ciarlare to chat, whence E. charlatan.] A verbal or acted enigma based upon a word which has two or more significant syllables or parts, each of which, as well as the word itself, is to be guessed from the descriptions or representations.

• Something apparently real but based on pretence/pretense.
       She said she loved me but it was only a charade.
  
• (in plural charades) A party game in which players mime a word or phrase that the other players must try to guess.