ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mask

n. · v.
US //ˈmæsk// UK //mˈɑːsk// mask
  1. 1 face covering (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    something you wear over your face to hide who you are or to keep you safe from germs or smoke.

    a covering for all or part of the face, worn for protection, disguise, or ritual purposes.

    Example

    The doctor wore a surgical mask to protect the patient during the operation.

    Example

    The museum displayed a collection of ancient ritual masks carved from cedar and decorated with intricate shell inlays.

    Usage

    Usually a countable noun.
  2. 2 to hide or cover (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to hide a feeling, a smell, or a fact so that other people do not notice it.

    to conceal or disguise a sensation, emotion, or physical object by covering it with something else.

    Example

    She tried to mask her disappointment with a forced smile.

    Example

    The strong scent of garlic in the sauce was intended to mask the slightly bitter taste of the herbs.

    Usage

    Transitive; always takes a direct object.
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  1. 3 social adaptation (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to hide your natural personality or traits to fit in with other people, often used by neurodivergent people.

    to consciously or unconsciously suppress natural behaviors or traits to appear neurotypical in social situations.

    Example

    Many autistic people find it exhausting to mask their true selves all day at work.

    Example

    The study explored how social masking contributes to burnout among neurodivergent adults in high-pressure environments.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a modern psychological sense that has become very common in discussions about neurodiversity.
    • unmask
  2. 4 to brew tea (v.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Dialect

    to make tea by letting it sit in hot water.

    to infuse or steep tea leaves in a teapot.

    Example

    Wait a few minutes for the tea to mask before you pour it.

    Example

    In some northern regions, you might hear someone ask if the tea has finished masking yet.

    Teacher's tip

    This is highly regional to Northern England and Scotland; most learners should use 'brew' or 'steep' instead.
Etymology 1

Borrowed from Middle French masque (“a covering to hide or protect the face”), from Italian maschera (“mask, disguise”), from (a byform of, see it for more) Medieval Latin masca, mascha, a borrowing of Proto-West Germanic *maskā, from which English mesh and mask (“mesh”) (below at Etymology 2) are inherited. Doublet of masque and mesh. Replaced Old English grīma (“mask”), whence grime, and displaced non-native Middle English viser (“visor, mask”) borrowed from Old French viser, visier.

Etymology 2

From Middle English maske, from Old English max, masċ (“net”), from Proto-West Germanic *maskā (“mesh, netting, mask”). Doublet of mesh and mask above.

Etymology 3

From Middle English *mask, masch, from Old English māx, māsc (“mash”). Doublet of mash.

Etymology 4

From Middle English masken, short for *maskeren, malskren (“to bewilder; be confused, wander”). More at masker.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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