masquerade

1 of 2

noun

mas·​quer·​ade ˌma-skə-ˈrād 

1

a

: a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes

b

: a costume for wear at such a gathering

2

: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show

masquerade

2 of 2

verb

masqueraded; masquerading

intransitive verb

1

a

: to disguise oneself

also : to go about disguised

b

: to take part in a masquerade

2

: to assume the appearance of something one is not

masquerader noun

Synonyms of masquerade

Noun

• facade
• pretense
• show
• guise
• pose
• act
• disguise
• charade

Verb

• pose (as)
• play
• mock

Examples of masquerade in a Sentence

Noun

She could not keep up the masquerade any longer.

although she was deeply bored, she maintained a masquerade of polite interest as her guest droned on

Verb

He was masquerading under a false name.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Night 2 of Jeezy’s residency had a masquerade theme, with the star and his sprawling band of classical musicians — comprised of members of The Color of Noize Orchestra — performing a program of original music composed by Derrick Hodge with musical direction from Adam Blackstone. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Nov. 2025

Other handbags in the collection masquerade as decadent desserts, including two-tier pastel cake with iced crystals and a Champagne bottle party bag, also modeled by Ratajakowski. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Verb

From masquerading hit-men to opportunistic funeral directors, from Orson Welles to Lorenz Hart, a Linklater hero is always an operator. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 4 Nov. 2025

Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media. —Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French, from Old Italian dialect mascarada, from Old Italian maschera mask

First Known Use

Noun

1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for masquerade

• accolade
• ambuscade
• antegrade
• balustrade
• barricade
• cannonade
• cavalcade
• centigrade
• chambermaid
• colonnade
• countertrade
• disobeyed

Kids Definition

masquerade

1 of 2 noun

mas·​quer·​ade ˌmas-kə-ˈrād 

1

: a party (as a dance) at which people wear masks and often fantastic costumes

2

: an action or appearance that is only a disguise or outward show : pose

masquerade

2 of 2 verb

masqueraded; masquerading

1

: to take part in a masquerade

2

: to assume the appearance of something one is not : pose

masquerader noun