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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Nearby words
maspero, gaston camille charles, masqat, masque, masque biliaire, masquer, masquerade, mass, mass affluent, mass book, mass card, mass defect
Origin of masquerade
Related formsmas·quer·ad·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples 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 Formsmasquerader, noun
Word Origin for masquerade
C16: from Spanish mascarada, from mascara mask
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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