masquerade
[ mas-kuh-reyd ]
/ ˌmæs kəˈreɪd /
noun
a party, dance, or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and other disguises, and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes.
a costume or disguise worn at such a gathering.
false outward show; façade; pretense: a hypocrite's masquerade of virtue.
activity, existence, etc., under false pretenses: a rich man's masquerade as a beggar.
verb (used without object), mas·quer·ad·ed, mas·quer·ad·ing.
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Origin of masquerade
OTHER WORDS FROM masquerade
mas·quer·ad·er, nounWords nearby masquerade
mas. pil., Masqat, masque, masque biliaire, masquer, masquerade, mass, massa, Massachuset, Massachusett, Massachusetts
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for masquerade
British Dictionary definitions for masquerade
masquerade
/ (ˌmæskəˈreɪd) /
noun
a party or other gathering to which the guests wear masks and costumes
the disguise worn at such a function
a pretence or disguise
verb (intr)
to participate in a masquerade; disguise oneself
to dissemble
Derived forms of masquerade
masquerader, nounWord Origin for masquerade
C16: from Spanish mascarada, from mascara mask
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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