A masquerade ball (or bal masqué) is a special kind of formal ball which many participants attend in costume wearing masks. (Compare the word "masque"—a formal written and sung court pageant.) A masquerade is known as a grand masked ball, a party, or a fun social event wherein people get to dress up in lavish attire and, understandably, wear their most elaborate masks. masquerade noun (PARTY) (also masquerade ball, masquerade party) a party or dance where people wear masks (= coverings over part or all of the face) or other disguises (= clothes that hide who you are or make you look like someone else): Masquerade first became popular in Venice, Italy and the practice of masquerade balls quickly spread throughout Europe and England in the 18th century.

Understanding the Context

During the same period, African ceremonial masquerades spread to the Caribbean and southeastern United States, where it evolved into carnivals. Directed by Tony Award® winner Diane Paulus and produced by Randy Weiner (Sleep No More, The Box), MASQUERADE is a bold new immersive production of the world’s most haunting love story. The meaning of MASQUERADE is a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes. How to use masquerade in a sentence.

Key Insights

1. a festive gathering of people wearing masks and costumes. 2. a costume worn at such a gathering. 3.

Final Thoughts

false outward show; pretense. 4. to represent oneself falsely. 5. to disguise oneself. 6.

to take part in a masquerade. mas`quer ad′er, n. masquerade (plural masquerades) (also attributively) An assembly or party of people wearing (usually elaborate or fanciful) masks and costumes, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.