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

And the leak to USA TODAY provides further evidence of the group’s careful masquerade, Tischauser, the SPLC researcher said. —Will Carless, USA Today, 4 June 2026

And that, in 1990, the Valentine’s Day masquerade ball at the George Hotel in Rye, Sussex, featured Lady Chatterley’s Lover’s Soup. —Louis Menand, New Yorker, 1 June 2026

Verb

Hackers are seizing on the hype by spreading malware masquerading as early access to the upcoming game. —Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 26 May 2026

For his part, Amato was a techno sophisticate masquerading as a party monster. —Walden Green, Pitchfork, 23 May 2026

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