masquerade

1 of 2

noun

mas·​quer·​ade ˌma-skə-ˈrād 

1

a

: a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes

b

: a costume for wear at such a gathering

2

: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show

masquerade

2 of 2

verb

masqueraded; masquerading

intransitive verb

1

a

: to disguise oneself

also : to go about disguised

b

: to take part in a masquerade

2

: to assume the appearance of something one is not

masquerader noun

Synonyms

Noun

• act
• airs
• charade
• disguise
• facade
• façade
• front
• guise
• playacting
• pose
• pretense
• pretence
• put-on
• semblance
• show

Verb

• act
• impersonate
• personate
• play
• pose (as)

Examples of masquerade in a Sentence

Noun

She could not keep up the masquerade any longer.

although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on

Verb

He was masquerading under a false name.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But the masquerade is not sustainable, and on the eve of her 15th birthday, Ellian makes a breakthrough in her effort to break the curse. —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024

Her ticket to the masquerade got lost in the shawl vault. —Devon Ivie, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2024

Verb

The chart data comes from the best possible source — our colleagues at Billboard and Luminate, with details below the chart — but the other decisions are ours, based on research, conversations and arguments masquerading as conversations. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 6 Dec. 2024

The title character, played by Katharine Hepburn, spends much of the film masquerading as a boy called Sylvester Scarlett. —Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from Old Italian dialect mascarada, from Old Italian maschera mask

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

masquerade

1 of 2 noun

mas·​quer·​ade ˌmas-kə-ˈrād 

1

: a party (as a dance) at which people wear masks and often fantastic costumes

2

: an action or appearance that is only a disguise or outward show : pose

masquerade

2 of 2 verb

masqueraded; masquerading

1

: to take part in a masquerade

2

: to assume the appearance of something one is not : pose

masquerader noun