mask

noun \ ˈmask \

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

How to steal the look Like the fresh face masks in the salad bar, Lush products are 100 percent vegetarian, and often contain fruits, vegetables and essential oils.

— kirby adams, The Courier-Journal, "Cosmetic mega god LUSH bucks big store trend, expands Louisville location," 11 Aug. 2017
One caller, who saw a dark blue Buick speeding away from the scene, told police the driver's side window was down, and the driver was wearing a red, black and gray mask, documents said.

— ruth ann krause, Post-Tribune, "East Chicago man, 23, dies awaiting trial for 2015 fatal shooting," 8 Aug. 2017
By this time, Boria asked a neighbor to take off a shirt and the officer used it as a makeshift mask around his face, to help block the smoke and headed through the door.

— clarence williams, Washington Post, "Two DC police officers rescue man trapped in burning house," 4 Aug. 2017
Left, a young fisherman, without mask, snorkel, or flippers jumps in with a whale shark as the behemoth passes by his bagan—a floating platform.

— pete oxford and sophie stafford, Discover Magazine, "The Good Luck Sharks of Indonesia," 26 July 2017
Gomez said his crews wear long sleeves, coveralls, gloves and masks while handling fentanyl.

— curt anderson, The Seattle Times, "Miami boy’s death shows powerful opioid’s chilling potential," 19 July 2017
Gomez said his crews wear long sleeves, coveralls, gloves and masks while handling fentanyl.

— Washington Post, "Miami boy’s death shows powerful opioid’s chilling potential," 19 July 2017
The Grand Old Trout is a beaut whose head is worn as a helmet/mask by the actor, and the body and tale are moved by rods behind the actor’s back.

— mark lowry, star-telegram, "Hip Pocket Theatre takes another taste of ‘In Watermelon Sugar’," 19 July 2017
The takeaway lesson from the weakest installment in that hugely successful franchise: a little mask work goes a long way.

— vanityfair.com, "Game of Thrones Season 7 Premiere: The Massive Ramifications of Arya’s Show-Stopping Scene," 16 July 2017

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

vizard

Related Words

camouflage, costume, disguise, guise; bill, cloak, domino, hood, veil, visor (also vizor)

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 squalor and oppression of the time add real stakes, and the combination of a young girl and ballet themes helps mask the fact that almost every sequence is borrowed from a better sports movie.

— peter hartlaub, idahostatesman, "A flying leap into family film inconsistency," 24 Aug. 2017
Key Plays: Henne 11 pass to Hurns; Ivory 10 run; A.Cann 10-yard offensive holding penalty on 3rd-and-5; Henne 2 run on 3rd-and-5; K.Short 1-yard face mask penalty on 3rd-and-15; Henne 14 run.

— charlotteobserver, "Carolina Panthers 24, Jacksonville Jaguars 23: Thursday’s summary, stats," 24 Aug. 2017
With a gun pointed in his face, a Chevron gas station clerk cowers as a masked robber grabs a cash register drawer in a pre-dawn holdup in Dania Beach.

— linda trischitta, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Armed robber terrorizes Dania Beach gas station clerk," 4 Aug. 2017
But the day-to-day disorder masks a bigger problem.

— The Economist, "Britain faces up to Brexit," 22 July 2017
Filip Reyntjens of the University of Antwerp argues that, by changing its definition of poverty, the government has masked a hefty increase in the share of Rwandans who are poor.

— The Economist, "Paul Kagame, feted and feared," 13 July 2017
To make these wider vectors easier to program, AVX512 also includes complex masking capabilities.

— peter bright, Ars Technica, "Intel launches its new precious metal Xeon platform," 11 July 2017
The fellow above has masked itself in the dark brown of a cypress trunk.

— ben raines | braines@al.com, AL.com, "The creatures of the Underwater Forest, as seen in the documentary," 5 July 2017
With the traditional gondolas and palaces now masked, every other sense is heightened.

— karen gardiner, CNT, "Why I Went on a Blindfolded Tour of Venice," 2 July 2017

First Known Use of mask

1579

mask Synonyms

Synonyms

camouflage, cloak, dress up, disguise

Antonyms

unmask

Related Words

blanket, blot out, conceal, cover, curtain, enshroud, hide, obscure, occult, screen, shroud, veil; affect, assume, counterfeit, dissemble, dissimulate, feign, pose, pretend, sham, simulate; act, fake, impersonate, masquerade, play; cosmeticize, gild, gloss (over), varnish, whitewash

Near Antonyms

display, exhibit, expose, flaunt, parade, show, uncloak, unclothe, uncover, undrape, unveil; bare, betray, disclose, discover, divulge, expose, reveal

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