masquerade

1 of 2

noun

mas·​quer·​ade ˌma-skə-ˈrād How to pronounce masquerade (audio)
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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Leigh’s treatment of the masquerade likewise dissolves distinctions between subject and object: An encrusted head sans face atop a raffia dome functions neither as a fully articulated human form nor as an abstract sculpture. Delinda Collier, Artforum, 1 May 2025 From starry nights to masquerades, this year's proms did not disappoint in Middle Tennessee. Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
These extreme anti-Israel demonstrations hide under the guise of free speech but are really part of a growing movement of unchecked antisemitism masquerading as political activism. Debra Silverstein, Chicago Tribune, 24 July 2025 Behind every underperforming team is a misalignment issue masquerading as a performance problem. Carrie Moore, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for masquerade

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of masquerade was in 1587

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masquerade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masquerade. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

masquerade

1 of 2 noun
mas·​quer·​ade ˌmas-kə-ˈrād How to pronounce masquerade (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on masquerade

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