First Known Use: 1587
Dictionary
1masquerade
noun mas·quer·ade \ˌmas-kə-ˈrād\
: a party at which people wear masks and often costumes
: a way of appearing or behaving that is not true or real
Full Definition of MASQUERADE
1
a : a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes b : a costume for wear at such a gathering
2
: an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show
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Origin of MASQUERADE
Middle French, from Old Italian dialect mascarada, from Old Italian maschera mask
Related to MASQUERADE
Rhymes with MASQUERADE
accolade, Adelaide, ambuscade, aquacade, balustrade, barricade, cable-laid, cannonade, carronade, cavalcade, centigrade, chambermaid, chiffonade, colonnade, countertrade, custom-made, dairymaid, defilade, enfilade, escalade, escapade, esplanade, everglade, foreign aid, fusillade, gallopade, gasconade, grant-in-aid, hawser-laid, hearing aid, intergrade, legal aid, lemonade, marinade, marmalade, meter maid, motorcade, orangeade, orthograde, overtrade, palisade, panty raid, pasquinade, plantigrade, promenade, ready-made, renegade, retrograde, serenade, stock-in-trade, tailor-made, underlaid, visual aid
2masquerade
verb
: to pretend to be someone or something else
masquerad·edmasquerad·ing
Full Definition of MASQUERADE
intransitive verb
1
a : to disguise oneself; also : to go about disguised b : to take part in a masquerade
2
: to assume the appearance of something one is not
— mas·quer·ad·er noun
See masquerade defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MASQUERADE
1677
MASQUERADE Defined for Kids
1masquerade
noun mas·quer·ade \ˌma-skə-ˈrād\
Definition of MASQUERADE for Kids
1
: a party (as a dance) at which people wear masks and costumes
2
: the act of pretending to be something different <His friendliness was just a masquerade.>
2masquerade
verb
mas·quer·ad·edmas·quer·ad·ing
Definition of MASQUERADE for Kids
1
: to wear a disguise
2
: to pretend to be something different : pose <He was masquerading as a policeman.>
— mas·quer·ad·er noun
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