verb

unmask

uhn-MASK

Unmask (verb) means to remove a mask, literally or figuratively, from someone. Example: “The hero unmasked the villain at the story's climax.”

verb

To remove a mask, literally or figuratively, from someone.

"The hero unmasked the villain at the story's climax."

To expose the true nature or identity of someone or something hidden.

"The investigation unmasked a huge fraud scheme."

How to use unmask

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo reveal what was hidden behind a disguise — an actual mask or a false front.

Common pairings

unmask a fraud unmask the culprit

Word forms

unmasked past tense, unmasks singular

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The hero _____ the villain at the story's climax.

Etymology

From "un-" + "mask."

Synonyms

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uncloak

Related words

reveal uncover uncloak

Frequently asked questions

What does “unmask” mean?

The word “unmask” means to remove a mask, literally or figuratively, from someone. In plain terms, to reveal what was hidden behind a disguise — an actual mask or a false front.

How do you pronounce “unmask”?

“Unmask” is pronounced uhn-MASK (/ʌnˈmæsk/ in IPA).

How do you use “unmask” in a sentence?

Here is “unmask” used in a sentence: “The hero unmasked the villain at the story's climax.”

What part of speech is “unmask”?

“Unmask” is a verb.

How many meanings does “unmask” have?

“Unmask” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to remove a mask, literally or figuratively, from someone.

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