Word
masked
US/ˈmæskt/
UK/mˈɑːskt/
Definitions
01wearing a face covering
B1 · Intermediate
adj. wearing a mask to hide your face or protect yourself.
adj. wearing a mask for the purpose of disguise, protection, or ritual.
“The masked intruder fled the building before the police arrived.”
“Security footage captured three masked individuals entering the vault, though their identities remained obscured by the heavy fabric of their disguises.”
Antonyms
02hidden or disguised
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. hidden or kept secret so that people do not notice the truth.
adj. concealed or disguised; often used to describe emotions, symptoms, or sounds that are obscured by something else.
“Her polite smile masked her true feelings of anger.”
“The patient presented with masked symptoms that made an initial diagnosis difficult for the attending physician.”
03animal markings
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. having a face or head that is a different colour from the rest of the body.
adj. possessing distinct facial markings, particularly when the anterior part of the head differs in colour from the rest of the plumage or fur.
“The masked weaver is a bird known for the black feathers on its face.”
“The masked shrew is easily identified by its distinctive facial pigmentation, which contrasts sharply with its dorsal fur.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “masked” in context.
Real-World Examples
“Videos shared online showed a large number of masked people in black marching on the road in a large group as lorries waited in traffic next to police cars.” “He added: "You should not be allowed to be masked up, balaclava-ed up and go out and protest on the streets of our country.” “All the masked characters up on stage agree that action is urgent, and the call is repeated with solemn agreement.” Etymology
From mask + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/masked