`
`SINCE 1828 MENU
`
`1mask
`
`noun
`
`|
`
`\ˈmask\
`
`Popularity: Bottom 40% of words
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Definition of MASK
`
`1
`
`2
`
`a (1) : a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise (2) : a person wearing a
`mask : MASKER
`b (1) : a figure of a head worn on the stage in antiquity to identify the character and
`project the voice (2) : a grotesque false face worn at carnivals or in rituals
`c : an often grotesque carved head or face used as an ornament (as on a keystone)
`d : a sculptured face or a copy of a face made by means of a mold
`
`a : something that serves to conceal or disguise : PRETENSE, CLOAK <aware of the masks,
`facades and defenses people erect to protect themselves — Kenneth Keniston>
`b : something that conceals from view
`c : a translucent or opaque screen to cover part of the sensitive surface in taking or
`printing a photograph
`d : a pattern of opaque material used to shield selected areas of a surface (as of a
`semiconductor) in deposition or etching (as in producing an integrated circuit)
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`3
`
`4
`
`a : a protective covering for the face
`b : GAS MASK
`c : a device covering the mouth and nose to facilitate inhalation
`d : a comparable device to prevent exhalation of infective material
`e : a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it
`dries
`
`a : the head or face of an animal (as a fox or dog)
`b : an area (as the one around the eyes) of an animal's face that is distinguished by
`usually darker coloring
`
`See mask defined for English-language learners
`
`See mask defined for kids
`
`See words that rhyme with mask
`
`Examples of MASK in a sentence
`
`Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance.
`
`Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room.
`
`Origin and Etymology of MASK
`
`Middle French masque, from Old Italian maschera
`
`First Known Use: 1534
`
`MASK Synonyms
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`Synonyms
`vizard
`
`Related Words
`camouflage, costume, disguise, guise; bill, cloak, domino, hood, veil, visor (also vizor)
`
`2mask
`
`verb
`
`Definition of MASK
`
`intransitive verb
`
`1
`
`: to take part in a masquerade
`
`2 t
`
`ransitive verb
`
`a : to assume a mask
`b : to disguise one's true character or intentions
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`: to provide or conceal with a mask: as
`a : to conceal from view <mask a gun battery>
`b : to make indistinct or imperceptible <masks undesirable flavors>
`c : to cover up <masked his real purpose>
`
`: to cover for protection
`
`: to modify the size or shape of (as a photograph) by means of an opaque border
`
`—masklike
`
`\-ˌlīk\ adjective
`
`See mask defined for English-language learners
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`Examples of MASK in a sentence
`
`The house was masked by trees.
`
`They tried to mask their real purpose.
`
`She tried using perfume to mask the bad odor.
`
`First Known Use of MASK
`
`circa 1562
`
`MASK Synonyms
`
`Synonyms
`camouflage, cloak, dress up, disguise
`
`Antonyms
`unmask
`
`Circa 1562
`
`Synonym Discussion of MASK
`
`DISGUISE, CLOAK, MASK mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or
`true nature. DISGUISE implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a
`different apparent identity <disguised herself as a peasant>. CLOAK suggests a means of hiding
`a movement or an intention <cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy>. MASK suggests some often
`obvious means of hiding or disguising something <smiling to mask his discontent>.
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`MASK Defined for English Language Learners
`
`2mask
`
`verb
`
`Definition of MASK FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
`
`: to hide (something) from sight
`
`: to keep (something) from being known or noticed
`
`
`
`MASK Defined for Kids
`
`1mask
`
`noun
`
`|
`
`\ˈmask\
`
`Definition of MASK for Students
`
`1
`
`2
`
`: a cover for the face or part of the face used for disguise or protection <a Halloween
`mask> <a catcher's mask>
`
`: something that disguises or conceals <She visited under a mask of friendship.>
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`2mask
`
`verb
`
`Definition of MASK for Students
`
`masked masking
`
`: CONCEAL, DISGUISE <She found it difficult to mask her anger.>
`
`Medical Dictionary
`
`1mask
`
`noun
`
`|
`
`\ˈmask\
`
`Medical Definition of MASK
`
`1
`
`2
`
`: a protective covering for the face
`
`a: any of various devices that cover the mouth and nose and are used to prevent
`inhalation of dangerous substances, to facilitate delivery of a gas (as oxygen or a general
`anesthetic), or to prevent the dispersal of exhaled infective material—see gas mask,
`oxygen mask
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`3
`
`: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it
`dries
`
`2mask
`
`transitive verb
`
`Medical Definition of MASK
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`: to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions <to mask
`hydroxyl in a sugar by converting it into methoxyl>
`
`: to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)
`
`: to make indistinct or imperceptible <flavorings used in pharmacy to mask the taste of
`medications>
`
`: to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) by the simultaneous presentation of another
`sound
`
`Learn More about MASK
`
`Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mask
`Spanish Central: Translation of mask
`Nglish: Translation of mask for Spanish speakers
`Britannica English: Translation of mask for Arabic speakers
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mask
`
`Seen and Heard
`What made you want to look up mask? Please tell us where you read or heard it
`(including the quote, if possible).
`
`W ORD O F THE DAY
`
`lave
`
`to wash or bathe
`
`Get Word of the Day daily email!
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`TRENDI N G NO W
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5
`
`Godspeed
`The same words sent him into orbit in…
`infamy
`The anniversary of Pearl Harbor
`noel
`'Tis the season
`flummadiddle, puppy
`So many puppies
`in omnia paratus
`"You jump, I jump"
`
`SEE ALL
`
`BRO WSE DIC TION A RY
`
`mashie
`
`mashie iron
`
`mashie niblick
`
`mashlum
`
`mash note
`
`Mashona
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`W ORD G A MES
`
`Take a 3-minute break and test your
`skills!
`
`The bounty portion of bounty
`hunters (such as Boba Fett)
`comes from a Latin word
`meaning
`
`hired
`
`criminal
`
`bad
`
`good
`
`Test your visual vocabulary with
`our 10-question challenge!
`TAKE THE QUIZ
`
`Test Your Knowledge - and learn
`some interesting things along the
`way.
`TAKE THE QUIZ
`
`W ORDS AT P LAY
`
`It's 'Kismet'
`
`This article is your destiny
`
`Jedi: Now in a Galaxy
`Near You
`
`The Putrid Origin of
`'Potpourri'
`
`Can a Single Person Be
`a 'Troop'?
`
`No robes required
`
`It shares a root with
`'putrescent'
`
`Many people are
`confused about this word
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`A S K THE E DIT OR S
`
`Hot Mess
`
`"The public is a hot mess"
`
`How to Use the
`Subjunctive in English
`
`If I were you, I'd watch
`this
`
`Irregardless
`
`Weird Plurals
`
`It is in fact a real word
`(but that doesn't mean
`…
`
`
`
`
`One goose, two geese.
`One moose, two...
`…
`
`
`
`
`W ORD G A MES
`
`Star Wars Words Quiz
`
`Is the Force strong in
`you?
`
`TAKE THE QUIZ
`
`A More Exception(al)
`Quiz
`
`Which of these things
`doesn't belong?
`
`TAKE THE QUIZ
`
`Name That Thing
`
`SCRABBLE® Sprint
`
`Test your visual
`vocabulary with our 10-
`…
`
`TAKE THE QUIZ
`
`SCRABBLE® fans,
`sharpen your skills!
`
`PLAY THE GAME
`
`Examples: MASK in a sentence
`
`Tip: Synonym guide
`
`Learn a new word every day.
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]
`
`
`
`Mask | Definition of Mask by Merriam-Webster
`
`Delivered to your inbox!
`
`O T HER MER R I A M- W E BST ER DI
`
`C TI ON A R I ES
`
`SPANISH CENTRAL
`
`LEARNER'S ESL DICTIONARY
`
`WORDCENTRAL FOR KIDS
`
`VISUAL DICTIONARY
`
`®
`SCRABBLE WORD FINDER
`
`MERRIAM-WEBSTER'S UNABRIDGED DICTIONARY
`
`BRITANNICA ENGLISH - ARABIC TRANSLATION
`
`NGLISH - SPANISH-ENGLISH TRANSLATION
`
`F O L L O W US
`
`Browse the Dictionary: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9
`
`Home Help Apps About Us Shop Advertising Info Dictionary API About Our Ads Contact Us
`The Open Dictionary Word of the Year Law Dictionary Medical Dictionary Privacy Policy Terms of Use
`
`Browse the Thesaurus Browse the Medical Dictionary Browse the Legal Dictionary Browse the Spanish-English Dictionary
`
`© 2016 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
`
`https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask[12/17/2016 11:31:52 AM]