mask

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈmask 

plural masks

1

a(1)

: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise

(2)

: a person wearing a mask : masker

b(1)

: a figure of a head worn on the stage in antiquity to identify the character and project the voice

(2)

: a grotesque false face worn at carnivals or in rituals

c

: an often grotesque carved head or face used as an ornament (as on a keystone)

d

: a sculptured face or a copy of a face made by means of a mold

2

a

: a protective covering for the face or part of the face

The hockey puck struck the goalie's mask.

a snorkel mask

see also ski mask

b(1)

: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask

(2)

: a comparable device or a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask

c

or less commonly masque : a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

3

a

: something that serves to conceal or disguise : pretense, cloak

… aware of the masks, facades and defenses people erect to protect themselves …

—Kenneth Keniston

b

: something that conceals from view

c

: a translucent or opaque screen to cover part of the sensitive surface in taking or printing a photograph

d

: a pattern of opaque material used to shield selected areas of a surface (as of a semiconductor) in deposition or etching (as in producing an integrated circuit) see also photomask

4

a

: the head or face of an animal (such as a fox or dog)

b

: an area (such as the one around the eyes) of an animal's face that is distinguished by usually darker coloring

masque

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈmask 

variants or less commonly mask

1

: masquerade

2

: a short allegorical dramatic entertainment of the 16th and 17th centuries performed by masked actors

3

: mask sense 2c

… a collection of three dry clay masques that, when activated with water, help to reset and balance your skin.

—Kari Molvar

Synonyms of mask

Noun (1)

• costume

Examples of mask in a Sentence

Noun (1)

Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance.

Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Under the method, executioners strap inmates to a gurney with chest and shoulder harnesses and attach a mask to his face. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 9 June 2026

The longer the mask is left on, the more intense the final result will be. —Giulia Lenzi, Vogue, 8 June 2026

Noun

The film will be a masque and an object lesson. —David Wingrave, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025

Like all äz products, this masque’s excellence is no different. —Tanya Akim, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle French masque, from Old Italian maschera

Noun (2)

Middle French masque — more at mask

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (2)

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mask

• death mask
• face mask
• face mask penalty
• gas mask
• mask acne
• oxygen mask
• procedural face mask
• procedural mask
• procedure face mask
• procedure mask
• shadow mask
• ski mask
• surgical mask

Rhymes for mask

• ask
• bask
• basque
• cask
• casque
• flask
• masque
• pasch
• task
• subtask
• unmask

Kids Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun

ˈmask 

1

a

: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise

a Halloween mask

b

: masker

c

: a sculptured face made by a mold in plaster or wax

2

: something that disguises or conceals : cloak

3

a

: a covering used to protect the face

a baseball catcher's mask

b

: gas mask

c

: a device covering the nose and mouth to make it easier to inhale something

an oxygen mask

d

: a similar device or covering (as of synthetic fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (as viruses)

4

: the head or face of a mammal (as a fox or dog)

5

: masque sense 2

mask

2 of 2 verb

1

: to put on or wear a mask

2

a

: conceal, disguise

masked their real purpose

b

: to make impossible to perceive or distinguish

masks undesirable flavors

3

: to cover for protection

Medical Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun

ˈmask 

1

: a protective covering for the face or part of the face

2

a

: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask

b

: a comparable device or covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) worn to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask

3

: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

mask

2 of 2 transitive verb

1

: to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions

to mask hydroxyl in a sugar by converting it into methoxyl

2

: to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)

3

: to make indistinct or imperceptible

flavorings used in pharmacy to mask the taste of medications

4

: to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) by the simultaneous presentation of another sound