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mask

mask

53 5.9
A way of acting that hides how a person really feels
  • noun
  • /mæsk/
: máscara
  • Self-observation is observation of the mask, the part we unconsciously play and which we cannot stop playing.
  • hide behind a mask

The face is a mask, but the mask is a face.

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Examples

  • Now, at your feet you will find a key that will allow you to remove your masks... and face your fears.

  • It's hard to know who anyone is nowadays with all these masks people are wearing.

  • As I worked on the mask, I found the man inside was changing.

  • You totally can feel your emotion coming through that mask.

  • A man must be able to wear a mask with ease while performing his assigned role.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Without a word, she yanked off her mask and threw it on the floor.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Quickening was so beautiful, but her beauty was a mask that distracted and confused.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The councilors' metaphorical blindness is expressed by their masks, which have no holes for the eyes.

    Academic text (2017)
  • It's difficult to know the truth when people wear a mask to hide their feelings.

  • Behind every mask, there might be a different story waiting to be revealed.

Synonyms

hiding
vsmask
227 2.7

Being where other people cannot find you to stay safe

is mainly about covering true facts or qualities about people
cover-up
vsmask
  • Literature
151 5.5

An attempt to hide a crime or scandal from the public

is a general behavior to hide truth, not only public scandal concealment
guise
vsmask
53 7.5

An appearance that hides the truth to trick people

focuses on hiding the truth about people or things rather than mere form
facade
vsmask
39 7.2

A false appearance that hides true problems

is about hiding true facts or character behind that outward front
disguise
vsmask
36 3.9

An outward appearance that hides someone's real identity or intentions

often covers truth about someone or something through actions or qualities
cloak
vsmask
34 5.8

A thing that hides the true nature of something

is used to hide truth about someone or something rather than literal cover
smoke and mirrors
vsmask
  • Informal
24 7.4

Actions that hide the truth by making things look better

focuses on hiding the real situation rather than simply being unseen or secret
subterfuge
vsmask
19 9.5

A trick or excuse to hide the real reason

is broader, covering any behavior that hides truth not only deceitful plans
camouflage
vsmask
13 4.6

A way of hiding something so it is not easily seen

hides truth by behavior or quality, not only by visual blending
masking
vsmask
13 4.8

Objects that hide parts of a stage from the audience

focuses on hiding truth by action, behavior, or quality rather than physical cover
smokescreen
vsmask
12 7.1

An action or statement that hides the real reason behind something

is used to hide truth about someone's aims rather than plain secrecy
smoke screen
vsmask
11 5.1

An action or statement used to hide the real reason and distract people

serves to hide real intentions rather than simple secrecy
masquerade
vsmask
9 6.8

A false appearance that hides someone's true feelings or plans

is similar but emphasizes behavior as a way to hide the truth
concealment
vsmask
4 5.0

Keeping something hidden or secret

focuses on hiding the truth about people or things rather than secrecy
stalking-horse
vsmask
  • Literature
3 9.9

A person or thing used to hide someone's real plan

is broader, covering any action that hides truth, not just using a decoy
dissembling
vsmask
3 9.9

Hiding your true feelings or intentions by pretending

focuses on hiding inner truth specifically through false outward behavior
concealing
vsmask
1 4.1

Hiding something so people cannot see or know about it

is used to hide what is true about someone or something
covertness
vsmask
1 8.7

Being secret so other people do not know about it

refers specifically to concealing truth about someone or something
pretexting
vsmask
  • Specialized
1 9.6

Pretending to be someone else or making up a false reason to get private information

is general hiding of truth, not limited to false identity or reasons
hiddenness
vsmask
1 7.8

A state in which something is out of sight and hard to notice or understand

is focused on hiding facts or real character rather than mere absence

Antonyms

∞ 2.3

Show something that was hidden or secret

245 4.1

To tell people information that was secret

Compounds

36 2.7

A close-fitting cloth that covers most of the face to keep it warm while skiing

18 3.4

A covering you wear over the nose and mouth to give oxygen in emergencies or medical care

7 1.4

A covering worn over the nose and mouth to protect against dust, germs, or pollution

7 2.7

A cream, clay, or sheet put on the face to make skin look better

4 8.3

A cast of a dead person's face kept as a memory or used by artists

1 1.8

A protective covering worn over the face in sports to prevent injury

1 2.1

A cover for the eyes that blocks light for sleeping or hides your face at parties

1 3.4

A mask a baseball catcher wears to protect the face from being hurt

welder's mask
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A face cover that protects your eyes and face from sparks, bright light and heat during welding

1 4.0

A mask that covers the upper part of the face, leaves the mouth visible, and has holes for the eyes

A face cover like the one Hannibal Lecter wears that covers the lower face and looks scary

1 5.5

A protective face cover made of mesh worn in fencing

life mask
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A cast made from a living person's face for making realistic sculptures

A protective face covering made of wire mesh worn by someone who fences to stop sword hits

mask of pregnancy
  • Specialized
1 7.3

A brown patch on the face that appears during pregnancy

A strong wire mask a baseball catcher wears to protect the face

6.4

A protective face guard made of metal bars used by the catcher in baseball or softball

A cover for the face shaped like a pumpkin worn at Halloween

How Concealing

fraud
607 4.0
deception
165 3.9
mask
53 5.9
pretense
  • US
76 6.1
white lie
  • Informal
22 3.4

Surface Forms

mask singular
masks plural

Etymology

Mask comes from Italian maschera, originally meaning something that hides the face, and this idea of hiding moved into talk about people. So, a mask can mean an action or quality that hides the truth about someone.