mask

1 of 2

noun

plural masks
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
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
The hockey puck struck the goalie's mask.
a snorkel mask
see also ski mask
b(1)
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
(2)
: a comparable device or a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
c
or less commonly masque : a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries
3
a
: something that serves to conceal or disguise : pretense, cloak
aware of the masks, facades and defenses people erect to protect themselvesKenneth 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) see also photomask
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

mask

2 of 2

verb

masked; masking; masks

transitive verb

1
: to provide or conceal (someone or something) with a mask: such as
a
: to conceal (something) from view
mask a gun battery
The entrance was masked by shrubs and flowers.
b
: to make (something) indistinct or imperceptible
masks undesirable flavors
mask the smell with a scented candle
[Dr. Joseph] Murray cautioned that people who go gluten-free to ease stomach problems may end up masking the symptoms of underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease, an immune disorder that affects the digestive tract.Kiera Butler
c
: to hide or conceal (something, such as one's motives or feelings)
The excuse masked his real purpose.
… a practiced yet futile attempt to mask embarrassment or anger with a smile …David Remnick
2
: to cover (the face or part of the face) with or as if with a mask
The low hood masked her eyes.
The leader masked his face with a scarf, her mother says, but she recognized the raspy voice of their neighbor …National Geographic
3
: to cover (something) for protection
Painters frequently use tape to mask … adjacent surfaces such as walls or trim.Gwen Bruno
4
: to modify the size or shape of (something, such as a photograph) by means of an opaque border

intransitive verb

1
a
: to put on a mask : to cover the face with a mask
As workplaces reopen, employees must mask and wash hands frequently.Robert A. Weinstein and Cory Franklin
often used with up
On a recent weekend, we masked up and went for a bicycle ride in Tokyo.Motoko Rich and Noriko Hayashi
b
: to disguise one's true character or intentions
2
: to take part in a masquerade
masklike adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of mask in a Sentence

Noun Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance. Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room. Verb The house was masked by trees. They tried to mask their real purpose. She tried using perfume to mask the bad odor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The same Facebook post explained why staff are wearing the mask to feed her, minimizing human sounds, creating visual barriers and taking other precautions. Denise Lavoie, Fortune, 13 Mar. 2024 Wide Shut masks that, of course, left mouths and pointed, Viking-style beards (too many of these to count) well exposed. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024 Past creations include the Tambour Opera Automaton, with a traditional Chinese opera mask and a moving dragon’s head, and the Tambour Carpe Diem, a memento mori piece featuring a skull and a serpent. Carol Besler, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Using air pressure, heat, and vibration, this mask gently massages your temples, helping to soothe sore eyes and headaches. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 Image The Covid pandemic made Wyoming’s live-and-let-live spirit appealing to many conservatives, like Ms. Ward, who saw the state as a haven from masks and vaccine mandates. Kate Zernike, New York Times, 10 Mar. 2024 The Taliban-run government has banned music in videos and mandated that female presenters wear a headscarf and a mask over their mouth for modesty, several content creators said. Rick Noack, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 The industry’s critics counter that nationwide figures mask clustering in particular regions — and within regions, in particular cities, or even neighborhoods. Calmatters, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2024 Each suspect wore a mask, according to the video captions, which describe the clothing of each assailant. Danny Freeman, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024
Verb
But in 1996, White died in his early 40s of pancreatic and liver cancer — a destabilizing loss that led Smith to turn to drugs in an effort to mask her grief. Lev Facher, STAT, 12 Mar. 2024 With cask ales, the flavors aren’t masked by gassy carbon dioxide, and can more easily shine through in the glass. Jay R. Brooks, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024 The safety and Industrial segment comprises abrasives, automotive aftermarkets, closure and masking systems, communication markets, electrical markets, industrial adhesives and tapes, personal safety, roofing granules, and others. Joe Cornell, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 California The informant next door: A quiet L.A. life masked Kremlin ties for FBI source accused of lying about Bidens Feb. 26, 2024 Further, prosecutors have portrayed Smirnov as a vessel for a Russian disinformation campaign. Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2024 The cameras will be in public places where there is no expectation of privacy, and before one is turned on, the department’s special projects and legislative affairs unit individually reviews the camera’s viewpoint to digitally mask private property. Lyndsay Winkley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 More big stories The informant next door: A quiet L.A. life masked Kremlin ties for an FBI source accused of lying about Bidens. Harriet Ryan, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The publishing industry had long been ambivalent about fic (legal questions aside, many of its loudest critics over the years have been famous professional authors), which usually prompted agents and editors to mask any connection a work had to fandom. Elizabeth Minkel, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024 The super lightweight liquid feels like a serum but works like a concealer to instantly mask redness and dark circles sans any creasing, caking or cracking. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mask.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French masque, from Old Italian maschera

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of mask was circa 1533

Dictionary Entries Near mask

Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
a Halloween mask
b
: masker
c
: a sculptured face made by a mold in plaster or wax
2
: something that disguises or conceals : cloak
3
a
: a covering used to protect the face
a baseball catcher's mask
b
c
: a device covering the nose and mouth to make it easier to inhale something
an oxygen mask
d
: a covering (as of gauze) over the nose and mouth to prevent infectious droplets from being exhaled into the air
4
: the head or face of a mammal (as a fox or dog)
5

mask

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put on or wear a mask
2
a
: conceal, disguise
masked their real purpose
b
: to make impossible to perceive or distinguish
masks undesirable flavors
3
: to cover for protection

Medical Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun
1
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
2
a
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
b
: a comparable device or covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) worn to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
3
: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

mask

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions
to mask hydroxyl in a sugar by converting it into methoxyl
2
: to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)
3
: to make indistinct or imperceptible
flavorings used in pharmacy to mask the taste of medications
4
: to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) by the simultaneous presentation of another sound

More from Merriam-Webster on mask

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