masquerade
11
6.8
- noun
- /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/
- We're all excited about the masquerade ball this Saturday, where everyone will wear masks and fancy costumes.
- masks and masquerades
- see a masquerade
- perform a masquerade
Examples
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In the Caribbean, traditions are different from island to island, and Gingerland's masquerade is just one of many observances.
Academic text (1991) -
Why don't you have the masquerade ball again?
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- Yeah, it's sort of a masquerade party.
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The King is having a ball, a masquerade ball.
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Did you and Danny forget about the masquerade ball today?
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I'm ready for this masquerade ball.
-
I'm off to a masquerade ball.
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This is Jamie Rosen for Channel Six News reporting live from the Masquerade Ball at City Hall.
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Tonight there's a masquerade ball at the Vanderhuesens.
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- Wilbur darling, I haven't been to a masquerade ball in ages.
Synonyms
5
4.8
A formal party where guests wear masks and costumes to hide who they are
3
9.9
A fancy royal party with music and dancing where people wear masks and costumes
2
4.3
A formal party where people wear masks and fancy costumes
2
6.4
A party where people wear costumes and face coverings, often with dancing
2
4.3
A party where people wear masks and costumes to hide who they are
1
7.0
A formal party where people wear costumes and masks and dance
Compounds
- Formal
5
4.8
A formal party where guests wear masks and costumes to hide who they are
1
5.3
An outfit with a mask and fancy clothes worn to hide who you are at a party
How Elaborate
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Masquerade comes from an old Italian word maschera that means 'mask' and from parties where people wore masks and fancy clothes. So a masquerade is a party or dance where people hide their faces and others try to guess who they are.