mask

noun \ ˈmask \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of mask

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 : 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)

3 a : a protective covering for the face

b : gas mask

c : a device covering the mouth and nose to facilitate inhalation

d : a comparable device to prevent exhalation of infective material

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

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

See mask defined for English-language learners

See mask defined for kids

Examples of mask in a Sentence

Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance.
Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room.

Recent Examples of mask from the Web

During the robbery, one of the victims pulled on the stocking mask that the robber was wearing and recognized Garcia, police said.

— brieanna j frank, azcentral, "Man accused of using pepper spray to rob a mother and daughter in Mesa," 11 Apr. 2018
The two collaborated on a mask that riffs on Björk’s own muscular and skeletal system.

— diana budds, Curbed, "5 reasons why Neri Oxman is more important than Brad Pitt right now," 11 Apr. 2018
Because of this year’s long, tough flu season, the county has extended by one month to April 30 a state order for health care workers who have not had their flu shots to wear protective masks when working with patients.

— phil diehl, sandiegouniontribune.com, "County's flu deaths continue to increase," 11 Apr. 2018
Luis Fonsi’s music video, which had more than 5 billion views, was apparently removed and replaced with a cover image showing the hackers wearing masks and pointing guns, the BBC reported.

— Fox News, "'Despacito' YouTube music video deleted by apparent hackers," 10 Apr. 2018
When the night is finally over, slip on a cheeky eye mask and prepare to wake up to a sweet February 15th.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "16 Blushing Beauty Gifts To Give Yourself On Valentine's Day," 14 Feb. 2018
Here for this: A fleet of House Greyjoy's ships approaches Blackwater Bay in King’s Landing: An army of what looks like the Unsullied, based on Grey Worm’s mask, stands at attention.

— megan friedman, Harper's BAZAAR, "Breaking Down Every Single Moment From the Newest Game of Thrones Trailer," 21 June 2017
Most of us don't think twice about throwing a soothing sheet on our skin or slathering on a peel-mask for a mini stint of Me Time.

— simedar jackson, Marie Claire, "22 Beauty Horror Stories That Will Make You Rethink Everything," 15 May 2017
Considering that purchasing individual masks à la carte can run from $3-5 each, this can be a definite steal for masking aficionados.

— zoë weiner, Teen Vogue, "FaceTory K-Beauty Sheet Mask Subscription Launches Online," 28 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mask.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mask

Middle French masque, from Old Italian maschera

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1533

See Words from the same year

mask Synonyms

Synonyms

blanket, cloak, cope, cover, cover-up, covering, curtain, hood, mantle, pall, robe, shroud, veil, wraps;

Related Words

blind, concealer, screen, shield;

fig leaf, Trojan horse;

camouflage, disguise, facade (also façade), face, mask, veneer;

gloss, varnish;

mask

verb

Definition of mask

intransitive verb

1 : to take part in a masquerade

2 a : to assume a mask

b : to disguise one's true character or intentions

transitive verb

1 : to provide or conceal with a mask: such as

a : to conceal from view

mask a gun battery

b : to make indistinct or imperceptible

masks undesirable flavors

c : to cover up

masked his real purpose

2 : to cover for protection

3 : to modify the size or shape of (something, such as a photograph) by means of an opaque border

—

masklike

play \-ˌlīk\ adjective

See mask defined for English-language learners

Examples of mask in a Sentence

The house was masked by trees.
They tried to mask their real purpose.
She tried using perfume to mask the bad odor.

Recent Examples of mask from the Web

The decrease in overall numbers may have masked shifts in the companies requesting visas.

— trisha thadani, San Francisco Chronicle, "H-1B application numbers fall for second year in a row," 12 Apr. 2018
Race and income matter State and national averages mask profound differences based on race and income, with little progress toward closing those gaps.

— ann doss helms, charlotteobserver, "NC has spent more than $150 million to boost reading. Are these scores worth it? | Charlotte Observer," 10 Apr. 2018
While the proportion of women in employment is at a record high 70.9 percent, that masks a more complex underlying picture.

— Bloomberg.com, "Gender Pay Gap Highlights U.K. Economy's ‘Untapped Potential’," 4 Apr. 2018
These mask kits for fire departments and other first responders have saved an estimated 10,000 pets from fires and smoke inhalation.

— joanne berger dumound/special to cleveland.com., cleveland.com, "Olmsted Township receives pet oxygen masks: Olmsted Dates and Data," 2 Apr. 2018
The sugary praise masked how strained relations had become with Just Born's union workforce.

— damian paletta, Anchorage Daily News, "In land of Peeps, a ﬁght threatens U.S. pension plans," 30 Mar. 2018
The sugary praise masked how strained relations had become with Just Born's union workforce.

— damian paletta, courant.com, "In land of Peeps, ﬁght threatens US pension plans," 30 Mar. 2018
According to Mameli, every year on January 17, a group of men in this sleepy mountain town awake from their slumber and transform into masked, monstrous mamuthones and lithe, rope-wielding issohadores.

— eliot stein, Condé Nast Traveler, "A Pagan Exorcism in Sardinia," 29 Mar. 2018
His sunny disposition masks a fierce determination, strengthened by rejection and doubters.

— clifton brown, Indianapolis Star, "Victor Oladipo 'has found the perfect home' with the Pacers," 17 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of mask

1579

mask Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of mask

disguise, cloak, mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature. disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

- disguised herself as a peasant

cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

- cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

- smiling to mask his discontent

MASK Defined for English Language Learners

mask

verb

Definition of mask for English Language Learners

: to hide (something) from sight
: to keep (something) from being known or noticed

MASK Defined for Kids

mask

noun \ ˈmask \

Definition of mask for Students

1 : a cover for the face or part of the face used for disguise or protection

a Halloween mask

a catcher's mask

2 : something that disguises or conceals

She visited under a mask of friendship.

mask

verb

Definition of mask for Students

masked; masking

: conceal, disguise

She found it difficult to mask her anger.

Medical Dictionary

mask

noun \ ˈmask \

medical Definition of mask

1 : a protective covering for the face

2 a : any of various devices that cover the mouth and nose and are used to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances, to facilitate delivery of a gas (as oxygen or a general anesthetic), or to prevent the dispersal of exhaled infective material — see gas mask, oxygen mask

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