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

The museum is also hosting a major retrospective of the Belgian-British painter James Ensor, whose Expressionist depictions of crowds in masquerades are haunting (through Jan. 19). —Nina Siegal, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

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

Verb

Everything appeared normal in their lives until her adoptive parents, Kristine and Michael Barnett, accused Grace of being a functioning adult masquerading as a kid to terrorize them. —Tim Chan, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Jan. 2025

Mark Wahlberg plays an unhinged, balding hitman masquerading as a chatty helicopter pilot in a new trailer for Mel Gibson’s upcoming thriller, Flight Risk. —Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 1 Jan. 2025

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