farce

Everyday

1. A farce is a funny play or film full of silly situations, mix-ups, chases and people hiding in cupboards. tree →
2. (informal) A farce is a situation that is so badly organised or unfair that it is ridiculous: «The sports day was a farce». tree →

In the lessons

In drama and English lessons, farce is a type of comedy with fast action and unlikely events. In everyday life and news, people complain that a meeting, a match or a trial was «a farce» when it went badly. Phrases: «a complete farce», «turn into a farce».

Examples

• We watched a farce where everyone kept slamming doors. tree →
• The match was a farce because the referee didn't turn up. tree →
• The school trip turned into a farce when the bus broke down. tree →
• The play is a farce full of mistaken identities. tree →
• Calling that a fair vote is a farce! tree →
• Farce is one of the oldest kinds of comedy. tree →

Note

Adjective: farcical. Say «farss». It is a strong criticism when used about real events.