Word
masque
UK/mˈæsk/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a grand show with music, dancing and acting for kings and rich people in England long ago. The actors often wore masks.
n. a lavish court entertainment popular in 16th- and 17th-century England, combining verse, music, dance and elaborate costume and scenery. Performers and spectators often wore masks, and aristocrats sometimes took part.
Examples
“Students study a famous masque in theatre history.”
“The drama class recreated a short masque with music, dance and masks for the school festival.”
“The court masque combined poetry, music and painted scenery to honour the ruler while giving nobles a chance to dance in disguise.”
Examples
simple
“Students study a famous masque in theatre history.”
contextual
“The drama class recreated a short masque with music, dance and masks for the school festival.”
complex
“The court masque combined poetry, music and painted scenery to honour the ruler while giving nobles a chance to dance in disguise.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “masque” in context.
Verb
01. appear in masque
“A young nobleman could appear in a masque to gain royal favour.”
verb + prep + noun
02. commission masque
“James I would commission a masque to honour foreign ambassadors.”
verb + noun
03. dance in masque
“Courtiers loved to dance in a masque at Whitehall Palace.”
verb + prep + noun
04. devise masque
“Ben Jonson helped devise a masque with complex allegorical figures.”
verb + noun
05. masque celebrates
“The masque celebrates the triumph of order over chaos.”
noun + verb
Adjective
06. allegorical masque
“The allegorical masque celebrated the king's wisdom and virtue.”
adj + noun
07. jacobean masque
“The Jacobean masque combined poetry, music and elaborate stage machinery.”
adj + noun
08. lavish masque
“Inigo Jones designed sets for a lavish masque at Whitehall.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. designer of masque
“Inigo Jones was the leading designer of masque in Stuart England.”
noun + prep + noun
10. appear in a royal masque
“Young aristocrats competed to appear in a royal masque.”
11. commission a masque for court
“Charles I commissioned a masque for court to celebrate his marriage.”
12. devise an allegorical masque
“Jonson devised an allegorical masque praising royal virtue.”
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from French masque. Doublet of mask and mesh.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL 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: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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