A mask can be a coveringSomething placed over a surface to protect or conceal it. for the face, or it can mean to hide, cover, or make something less obviousEasy to see, notice, or understand; not hidden.. It is also used for a social event where people wear costumesSpecial clothes worn to look like a different person or character. and masks.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /mæsk/
Easy pronunciation: MASK (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable, stressed on the whole word.
Noun: a covering to disguise or conceal the face.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Mask Meaning
something you wear over your face so people cannot see who you are, or so your face is protected
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a covering to disguise or conceal the face
Example: She wore a silver mask to the costume ball.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- masque — Used for a masked entertainment or event; less common in everyday speech.
- masquerade — Can refer to a masked event or, more broadly, a disguise.
- masquerade party — A party where guests wear masks and costumes.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Mask
Meaning 2
a costume party where people wear masks
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
Example: The charity ball was a glittering masquerade.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- masque — A formal masked performance or event; not the usual modern word for a party.
- masquerade — A masked event or party.
- masquerade party — A party where guests dress up and wear masks.
Meaning 3
to block light from getting through
Part of speech: verb
Definition: shield from light
Example: The curtains mask the early morning sun.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- block out — A direct substitute when the meaning is blocking light.
Meaning 4
to hide your real feelings, intentions, or character
Part of speech: verb
Definition: hide under a false appearance
Example: He masked his disappointment with a smile.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- cloak — Can mean to hide something, but often sounds literary or figurative.
- dissemble — To hide your real thoughts or feelings by pretending.
Meaning 5
to cover or change something so its real taste, smell, or appearance is less noticeable
Part of speech: verb
Definition: make unrecognizable
Example: The herb masks the garlic taste.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- disguise — Works when the meaning is making something less noticeable or altering how it is perceived.
Meaning 6
to cover food with sauce
Part of speech: verb
Definition: cover with a sauce
Example: Mask the meat with the sauce.
Meaning 7
to place a mask on someone or something
Part of speech: verb
Definition: put a mask on or cover with a mask
Example: The actors were masked before the performance.
Meaning 8
something that hides the truth or a real feeling
Part of speech: noun
Definition: an activity that tries to conceal something
Example: His friendliness was just a mask for his anger.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Mask Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- masquerade
- masquerade party
- masque
shield from light
- block out
hide under a false appearance
- dissemble
- cloak
make unrecognizable
- disguise
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes mix up the noun mask with masquerade. A mask is the covering itself; a masquerade is an event or act of disguise.
- Do not use disguise as a synonym for every sense of mask. It fits the verb meaning ‘make unrecognizable’ and some figurative uses, but not the physical object meaning.
- Unmask is the opposite of mask, not a synonym.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mask mean?
Mask can mean a covering for the face, a thing used to hide identity, or the act of hiding or reducing something. It can also refer to a costume event where guests wear masks.
What is a simple synonym for mask?
For the face-covering noun, masquerade is related but not a perfect everyday substitute. For the verb meaning ‘hide,’ dissemble or block out may fit depending on the sense.
What is the difference between mask and disguise?
Mask usually refers to a physical covering or the act of covering something. Disguise is broader and often means changing appearance so something is not recognized.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-13. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.