masquerade

/ˌmæskəˈreɪd/
verb
  1. To pretend to be something or someone else; to disguise one's true nature or identity.
    • He masquerades as a tough guy, but he's really very kind.
    • The spy masqueraded as a journalist to gather information.
    • The virus masquerades as a harmless program to infect computers.
  2. To take part in a masquerade ball or party.
    • We will masquerade until dawn at the palace ball.
    • Every year, the townspeople masquerade in the town square.
    • They love to masquerade in elaborate historical costumes.
noun
  1. A party or event where guests wear masks and costumes.
    • The Venetian masquerade was the highlight of the festival season.
    • She spent weeks preparing her gown for the grand masquerade.
    • At the masquerade, everyone's identity remained a secret until midnight.
  2. A false show or pretense; an act of pretending to be something or someone else.
    • Their friendship was a masquerade; they actually couldn't stand each other.
    • His cheerful attitude was just a masquerade to hide his sadness.
    • The company's charity work was a masquerade for its unethical practices.
What does "masquerade" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean