mask

1 of 2

noun

plural masks
1
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
2
a
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
The hockey puck struck the goalie's mask.
a snorkel mask
see also ski mask
b(1)
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
(2)
: a comparable device or a covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
c
or less commonly masque : a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries
3
a
: something that serves to conceal or disguise : pretense, cloak
aware of the masks, facades and defenses people erect to protect themselvesKenneth 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) see also photomask
4
a
: the head or face of an animal (such as a fox or dog)
b
: an area (such as the one around the eyes) of an animal's face that is distinguished by usually darker coloring

mask

2 of 2

verb

masked; masking; masks

transitive verb

1
: to provide or conceal (someone or something) with a mask: such as
a
: to conceal (something) from view
mask a gun battery
The entrance was masked by shrubs and flowers.
b
: to make (something) indistinct or imperceptible
masks undesirable flavors
mask the smell with a scented candle
[Dr. Joseph] Murray cautioned that people who go gluten-free to ease stomach problems may end up masking the symptoms of underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease, an immune disorder that affects the digestive tract.Kiera Butler
c
: to hide or conceal (something, such as one's motives or feelings)
The excuse masked his real purpose.
… a practiced yet futile attempt to mask embarrassment or anger with a smile …David Remnick
2
: to cover (the face or part of the face) with or as if with a mask
The low hood masked her eyes.
The leader masked his face with a scarf, her mother says, but she recognized the raspy voice of their neighbor …National Geographic
3
: to cover (something) for protection
Painters frequently use tape to mask … adjacent surfaces such as walls or trim.Gwen Bruno
4
: to modify the size or shape of (something, such as a photograph) by means of an opaque border

intransitive verb

1
a
: to put on a mask : to cover the face with a mask
As workplaces reopen, employees must mask and wash hands frequently.Robert A. Weinstein and Cory Franklin
often used with up
On a recent weekend, we masked up and went for a bicycle ride in Tokyo.Motoko Rich and Noriko Hayashi
b
: to disguise one's true character or intentions
2
: to take part in a masquerade
masklike adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of mask in a Sentence

Noun Everyone wore costumes and masks to the dance. Doctors wear surgical masks in the operating room. Verb The house was masked by trees. They tried to mask their real purpose. She tried using perfume to mask the bad odor.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Also toward the film’s climax, the Wizard’s mechanical mask may be considered frightening — before, as in The Wizard of Oz, a harmless man (Jeff Goldblum) emerges from behind its curtain. Jen Juneau, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024 This eye mask is made from memory foam that moulds to your shape and has a smooth ice silk lining for a cooling feel. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 19 Nov. 2024
Verb
Otherwise, factoring can mask the underlying problems. Oleg Chanchikov, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Continue reading here Advertisement MORE LAKERS: Anthony Davis and LeBron James can’t mask Lakers’ issues in loss to Pistons Lakers box score Advertisement NBA scores NBA standings Enjoying this newsletter? Iliana Limón Romero, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for mask 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French masque, from Old Italian maschera

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1539, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of mask was circa 1533

Dictionary Entries Near mask

Cite this Entry

“Mask.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mask. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a cover or partial cover for the face used for disguise
a Halloween mask
b
: masker
c
: a sculptured face made by a mold in plaster or wax
2
: something that disguises or conceals : cloak
3
a
: a covering used to protect the face
a baseball catcher's mask
b
c
: a device covering the nose and mouth to make it easier to inhale something
an oxygen mask
d
: a similar device or covering (as of synthetic fiber or cotton fabric) to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (as viruses)
4
: the head or face of a mammal (as a fox or dog)
5

mask

2 of 2 verb
1
: to put on or wear a mask
2
a
: conceal, disguise
masked their real purpose
b
: to make impossible to perceive or distinguish
masks undesirable flavors
3
: to cover for protection

Medical Definition

mask

1 of 2 noun
1
: a protective covering for the face or part of the face
2
a
: a device usually covering the mouth and nose to facilitate delivery of a gas (such as a general anesthetic) see also oxygen mask
b
: a comparable device or covering (as of polypropylene fiber or cotton fabric) worn to prevent inhalation of dangerous substances or to prevent the inhalation or dispersal of exhaled infectious material (such as bacteria or viruses) see also face mask, gas mask, procedure mask, surgical mask
3
: a cosmetic preparation for the skin of the face that produces a tightening effect as it dries

mask

2 of 2 transitive verb
1
: to prevent (an atom or group of atoms) from showing its ordinary reactions
to mask hydroxyl in a sugar by converting it into methoxyl
2
: to modify or reduce the effect or activity of (as a process or a reaction)
3
: to make indistinct or imperceptible
flavorings used in pharmacy to mask the taste of medications
4
: to raise the audibility threshold of (a sound) by the simultaneous presentation of another sound

More from Merriam-Webster on mask

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!