What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
masquerade
Example
We attended a masquerade ball last night and wore beautiful masks. [masquerade: noun]
Example
She decided to masquerade as a wealthy socialite to gain access to the exclusive club. [masquerade: verb]
disguise
Example
He disguised himself by wearing a fake mustache and glasses. [disguise: verb]
Example
She tried to disguise her disappointment with a smile. [disguise: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disguise is more commonly used than masquerade in everyday language. Disguise is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while masquerade is less common and refers to a specific type of event or activity.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between masquerade and disguise?
Both masquerade and disguise can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but disguise may be more commonly used in serious or professional situations where deception or anonymity is required.