masquerade

A masquerade is a fancy costume party where the guests wear masks, or to live or act in a false way. (noun)

An example of a masquerade is the ball described in Edgar Allen Poe's short story The Masque of the Red Death.
An example of a masquerade is hiding the fact that you have two pets from your landlord.

Masquerade means to wear a disguise or pretend to be someone else. (verb)

An example of to masquerade is wearing a costume.
An example of to masquerade is pretending to be a guest at a wedding you're crashing.

See masquerade in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a ball or party at which masks and fancy costumes or disguises are worn
a costume for such a ball or party
1. a disguise, false show, or pretense
2. a living or acting under false pretenses

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See masquerade in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(măsˌkə-rādˈ)

noun

a. A costume party at which masks are worn; a masked ball. Also called masque.
b. A costume for such a party or ball.
a. A disguise or false outward show; a pretense: a masquerade of humility.
b. An involved scheme; a charade.

intransitive verb mas·quer·ad·ed, mas·quer·ad·ing, mas·quer·ades

To wear a mask or disguise, as at a masquerade: She masqueraded as a shepherd.
To go about as if in disguise; have or put on a deceptive appearance: The stowaway masqueraded as a crew member.

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Learn more about masquerade

» masquerade synonyms

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