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)

masqueraded, masquerading

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

• masquerader
  noun

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

With scents like Moonlit Masquerade and Raspberry Rendezvous—and emblazoned with floral motifs instantly recognizable to “Bridgerton” fans—the show’s aesthetics propelled sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 15, 2026

The authorities said the renovation work at the club, Masquerade, may have caused the fire, which took place while the club was closed to the public.

From New York Times • Apr. 2, 2024

I am currently reading the new doorstop-thick biography of Noel Coward, called "Masquerade," which gives the real difference between the public life he led and his secret life.

From Salon • Jul. 6, 2023

At the Haunted Nights Masquerade Ball, the only thing louder than the music was the cheers.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2021

Masquerade as a human dwarf, with an aversion to light.

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer