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noun

masquerade

mas-kuh-RAYD

Masquerade (noun) means a party or ball where guests wear masks and costumes. Example: “They danced the night away at the Venetian masquerade.”

noun
1
A party or ball where guests wear masks and costumes.
"They danced the night away at the Venetian masquerade."
"Tickets to the masquerade sold out within days."
2
A false show or pretence that conceals the truth.
"His friendliness was just a masquerade to win her trust."
verb
1
To pretend to be someone or something one is not.
"The scammer masqueraded as a bank employee."

How to use masquerade

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA costume ball, or more broadly, a deceptive pretence.

Common pairings
masquerade ball masquerade as a masquerade of

Word forms

masqueraded past tense, masquerades plural, masquerades singular

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They danced the night away at the Venetian _____.

Etymology

From French mascarade, from Italian mascherata, ultimately from the same root as "mask."

Origin: French

mask masque fancy dress masquerade party masquerade costume

Related words

Rhymes for masquerade

See all rhymes for masquerade →

Frequently asked questions

What does “masquerade” mean?

The word “masquerade” means a party or ball where guests wear masks and costumes. In plain terms, a costume ball, or more broadly, a deceptive pretence.

How do you pronounce “masquerade”?

“Masquerade” is pronounced mas-kuh-RAYD (/ˌmæskəˈɹeɪd/ in IPA).

How do you use “masquerade” in a sentence?

Here is “masquerade” used in a sentence: “They danced the night away at the Venetian masquerade.”

What part of speech is “masquerade”?

Depending on how it is used, “masquerade” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “masquerade” come from?

The word “masquerade” comes from French. From French mascarade, from Italian mascherata, ultimately from the same root as "mask.".

How many meanings does “masquerade” have?

“Masquerade” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a party or ball where guests wear masks and costumes.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial