English Reference
Verb

unmasked

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /ənˈmæskt/ UK /ʌnmˈɑːskt/ un·masked

v.to remove a mask from someone's face or to reveal a secret identity. It can also mean to show that someone is not who they seem to be.

v.to remove a mask or other covering from the face; by extension, to reveal a hidden identity or true nature. Often used in the passive voice to describe the exposure of a fraud or secret.


SIMPLE

The hero unmasked the villain at the end of the movie.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of hiding his true intentions, the politician was finally unmasked by a leaked email.

COMPLEX

The detective's final piece of evidence served to unmask the entire conspiracy, proving that the suspects had been working for a foreign government all along.

Vienna police released photos of the two suspects, who were unmasked, captured on security cameras.

BBC News· 28 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated