What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
charade
Example
Let's play a game of charades at the party tonight. [charades: noun]
Example
She made a charade of being surprised when she already knew about the surprise party. [charade: noun]
act
Example
The actors did a fantastic job in their act during the theater production. [act: noun]
Example
She acted like she was happy even though she was feeling sad. [acted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Act is more commonly used than charade in everyday language. Act is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, such as theater, film, or describing someone's behavior. On the other hand, charade is less common and is mainly used to refer to the game or a pretense.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between charade and act?
While act can be used in both formal and informal contexts, charade is typically associated with a more casual and informal tone, especially when referring to the game played at social gatherings.