How to Memorize

farce - joke

Analysis

The term ‘farce’ was originally used to refer to a humorously absurd play or film where the characters become embroiled in ludicrous situations. It has since been adapted to also express an event or situation that is so terribly organized or goes so badly wrong that it becomes utterly ridiculous. Therefore, the word has both positive and negative connotations.

Example(s)

1. I couldn’t stop laughing at the play I saw last night. It was a thoroughly entertaining farce.

2. Understaffing led to a farcical situation where complicated machinery was being operated by factory workers with little to no experience.

3. The defendant did not get a fair trial. The court case was a total farce from start to finish.