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

Stevie Nicks does not, in fact, have her ticket to the masquerade just yet. —EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

The very end of the Season 3 finale teased the beginning of Benedict’s love story might have been coming soon as Eloise (Claudia Jessie) — who is off to Scotland with Francesca — promises to be back in time for their mother’s famous masquerade ball. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 11 Sep. 2024

Verb

Well, Dune: Part Two is one of those rare instances of a cinematic artistic masterpiece masquerading as a blockbuster. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 17 Oct. 2024

Kudos Bars Kudos Bars were really just candy bars masquerading as granola bars, often covered with M&Ms or Snickers bits. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 10 Oct. 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