masquerade

American  

[mas-kuh-reyd] / ˌmæs kəˈreɪd /

noun

1. a party, dance, or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and other disguises, and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes.

   Synonyms:

   mummery

2. a costume or disguise worn at such a gathering.

3. false outward show; façade; pretense.

   a hypocrite's masquerade of virtue.

4. activity, existence, etc., under false pretenses.

   a rich man's masquerade as a beggar.

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verb (used without object)

masquerades, present (3rd person singular) masqueraded, past participle, past masquerading present participle

1. to go about under false pretenses or a false character; assume the character of; give oneself out to be.

   to masquerade as a former Russian count.

2. to disguise oneself.

3. to take part in a masquerade.

masquerade British  

/ ˌmæskəˈreɪd /

noun

1. a party or other gathering to which the guests wear masks and costumes

2. the disguise worn at such a function

3. a pretence or disguise

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verb

1. to participate in a masquerade; disguise oneself

2. to dissemble

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• masquerader
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have masqueraded
  perfect
• has masqueraded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is masquerading
  progressive 3rd person singular
• am masquerading
  progressive 1st person singular
• are masquerading
  progressive
• has been masquerading
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• masquerades
  singular 3rd person
• have been masquerading
  perfect progressive
• masquerading
  participle

Past

• had masqueraded
  perfect
• was masquerading
  progressive singular
• were masquerading
  progressive plural
• had been masquerading
  perfect progressive
• masqueraded
  simple
• masqueraded
  participle

Future

• will masquerade
  simple
• will have masqueraded
  perfect
• will be masquerading
  progressive
• will have been masquerading
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of masquerade

1580–90; earlier masquerada, mascarado, pseudo-Spanish forms of Middle French mascarade < Upper Italian mascherada; see mask, -ade ¹

Explanation

To masquerade means "to pretend to be someone else." If you masquerade as a sweet, kind-hearted person, you present that image to the world, hiding your true identity as a jerk who has rage issues. As a verb, masquerade can also mean to dress up as someone else, in costume. At the parade, you will masquerade as the court jester, wearing a purple outfit and bells and tossing candy to little kids. The noun masquerade refers to both your costume, which usually includes a mask, and the event where you will wear it. The fun is in hiding your real identity for the night.

Example Sentences

One night in 1768, Christian VII of Denmark partied all night at Carlisle House and was later inspired to hold a 1,500-guest masquerade.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The cost of a single masquerade, we are told—including admission and costume rental—equaled 132% of a middling family’s weekly disposable income.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

The production, co-directed by Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch, ditches the feline masquerade for a parade of costumes designed with unflagging inspiration by Qween Jean.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

The Bohemian second son has so far refused to settle down, but this all changes when he meets a masked lady in silver at a masquerade ball.

From BBC • Feb. 26, 2026

The book opened with the description of a masquerade ball.

From "Abel's Island" by William Steig