a party, dance, or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and other disguises, and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes.

a costume or disguise worn at such a gathering.

false outward show; façade; pretense

a hypocrite's masquerade of virtue.

activity, existence, etc., under false pretenses

a rich man's masquerade as a beggar.

to go about under false pretenses or a false character; assume the character of; give oneself out to be

to masquerade as a former Russian count.

to disguise oneself.

to take part in a masquerade.

verb

reveal , unmask

noun

carnival , circus , cloak , color , costume , costume ball , cover , cover-up , deception , dissimulation , domino , facade , festivity , front , guise , impersonation , imposture , mardi gras , mask , masked ball , masking , mummery , personation , pose , pretense , put-on , revel , screen , show , subterfuge , veil , coloring , disguise , disguisement , face , false colors , gloss , pretext , semblance , veneer , window-dressing , acting , dissemblance , sham , simulation

verb

attitudinize , dissemble , dissimulate , frolic , impersonate , mask , pass as , pass for , pass off , pose , posture , pretend , revel , camouflage , pass , charade , disguise , guise , masque , party , pretense