What does tirade mean?
Word: Tirade
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Tirade means a long, angry speech that criticises someone or something.
Synonyms: rant, diatribe
Word origin: Comes from French tirade, from Italian tirata.
How do you spell tirade?
Syllables: ti - rade
Tricky part: The word begins with a plain ti. Because of the long sound, many students start it with ty or tie.
Watch out for: tyrade, tierade
Memory tip: A tirade can leave its listeners tired, and the two words open the same way.
Tirade in a sentence
Example 1: Uncle launched into a tirade about the traffic in Bengaluru.
Example 2: After the power cut, the shopkeeper's tirade against the electricity board lasted ten minutes.
Example 3: We sat quietly through the caretaker's tirade about muddy boots.
Fun Fact
In the French theatre, a tirade can be simply a long unbroken speech by one character, angry or not. In English the word is used almost only for the angry kind.
Practise the CREST Way
Spellacadabra
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
tir___
a) aid
b) ade
c) aed
d) ayd
Show answer
b) ade. It finishes like parade and lemonade.
Jumble Tumble
Choose the correct sequence of the jumbled letters to form a meaningful word:
dreait 123456
a) 654213
b) 652413
c) 652431
d) 625413
Show answer
b) 652413. Follow the digits and the letters spell a noun for a long angry speech.
Word Puzzle
Match the words with their meanings:
1. tirade 2. lecture 3. anecdote a. a brief, amusing story about a real event b. a furious stream of complaint c. a talk on a subject given to students
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
d) 1-b, 2-a, 3-c
Show answer
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a. All three involve speaking; only one is furious, one teaches and one entertains.
Spell Spies
Choose the pair which has a spelling error:
a) tirrade : rant
b) summit : peak
c) remedy : cure
d) gadget : device
Show answer
a) tirrade : rant. One r is all this word needs; the other three pairs are spelt correctly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A coach's tirade usually leaves the players feeling ___.
a) bored and sleepy
b) scolded and silent
c) rested and calm
d) proud and delighted
Show answer
b) scolded and silent
2. Which is least like a tirade?
a) a gentle word of thanks
b) a bitter ten-minute complaint
c) a fierce public scolding
d) a furious talk at a meeting
Show answer
a) a gentle word of thanks
