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
1
To remove a mask, literally or figuratively, from someone.
"The hero unmasked the villain at the story's climax."
2
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 notesIn plain EnglishTo reveal what was hidden behind a disguise — an actual mask or a false front.
Common pairings
unmask a fraud
unmask the culprit
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- unmasks
- Past tense
- unmasked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The hero _____ the villain at the story's climax.
Etymology
From "un-" + "mask."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
