Disguise vs. Masquerade — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 20, 2023

Disguise entails altering appearance to conceal identity or nature. Masquerade involves presenting oneself falsely or participating in social events with masks and costumes.

Difference Between Disguise and Masquerade

Table of Contents

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

The usage of Disguise often encompasses a broader array of contexts and purposes. Disguises can be utilized for various purposes, such as protection, anonymity, or to perform a covert act. Masquerade, on the other hand, frequently points towards social and recreational activities, especially ones involving dressing up, although it can also refer to a pretense.

Oct 20, 2023

In literature and art, Disguise is often employed as a plot device, allowing characters to navigate scenarios incognito, achieving goals without recognition. Masquerade, however, might be used in a more metaphorical sense to represent facades that individuals or societies maintain, or quite literally in describing festive gatherings where individuals adorn masks and costumes.

Oct 20, 2023

Disguise and Masquerade, while somewhat interchangeable, have distinct usages in English. "Disguise" generally pertains to the act of changing one’s appearance to conceal their identity. This change could be through clothes, makeup, or other means. Conversely, "Masquerade" can allude to both a deceptive show or an event where attendees wear masks and costumes.

Oct 20, 2023

Exploring Disguise and Masquerade through a historical lens sheds light on their distinct applications. Disguise has been utilized throughout history in espionage and subterfuge, changing one’s appearance to mislead and operate undercover. Masquerades historically were social events, parties where guests would wear masks and luxuriant costumes to conceal their identities for entertainment and intrigue.

Oct 20, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

Alters appearance to conceal identity.

A deceptive show or a festive gathering with masks.

Oct 20, 2023

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Purpose

Typically aims for concealment or anonymity.

Could be recreational (event) or represent deception or pretense.

Oct 20, 2023

Usage

Can be used in a wide range of contexts.

Often limited to social events or describing deception.

Oct 20, 2023

Connotation

Can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on context.

Could suggest enjoyment (event) or negative (deception).

Oct 20, 2023

Historical Role

Used in espionage, warfare, and safety.

Associated with social events and, metaphorically, with deception.

Oct 20, 2023

Definitions

Disguise

Disguise involves altering one's appearance to hide identity or characteristics.

The spy used a disguise to blend into the crowd unnoticed.

Oct 04, 2023

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Masquerade

Masquerade implies engaging in an act of pretending or imitation.

Some plants have the ability to masquerade as others to avoid being eaten.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Disguise can mean to conceal the true nature or state of something.

He used humor to disguise his true feelings about the situation.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Masquerade can involve feigning an identity or role for deceptive purposes.

His act of kindness was merely a masquerade to gain her trust.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Disguise may be used to mask or obfuscate the presence of something.

The frosting was used to disguise the burnt flavor of the cake.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Masquerade can refer to a party or assembly where participants wear masks and costumes.

They met at a lavish masquerade ball, where everyone was adorned in extravagant attire.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Disguise can involve using subterfuge or misdirection to conceal intentions.

The decoy was a disguise to distract from the team’s real plan.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Masquerade can mean to live under a false show or pretense.

She did not want to masquerade as happy when she felt so miserable inside.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To modify the manner or appearance of (a person, for example) in order to prevent recognition

Disguised himself as a guard and escaped.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A costume party at which masks are worn; a masked ball. Also called masque.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To make indistinct or difficult to perceive

Disguised the bad taste of the medicine with lemon syrup.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A costume for such a party or ball.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To conceal or obscure by dissemblance or false show; misrepresent

Disguise one's true intentions.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A disguise or false outward show; a pretense

A masquerade of humility.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Clothes or accessories worn to conceal one's true identity.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

An involved scheme; a charade.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Appearance that misrepresents the true character of something

A blessing in disguise.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To wear a mask or disguise, as at a masquerade

She masqueraded as a shepherd.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

A pretense or misrepresentation

His repeated references to his dangerous hobbies were only a disguise to cover up his insecurity.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To go about as if in disguise; have or put on a deceptive appearance

The stowaway masqueraded as a crew member.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Material (such as clothing, makeup, a wig) used to alter one’s visual appearance in order to hide one's identity or assume another.

A cape and moustache completed his disguise.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

An assembly or party of people wearing (usually elaborate or fanciful) masks and costumes, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.

I was invited to the masquerade party at their home.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

(figuratively) The appearance of something on the outside which masks what’s beneath.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

The act of wearing a mask or dressing up in a costume for, or as if for, a masquerade ball.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

The act or state of disguising, notably as a ploy.

Any disguise may expose soldiers to be deemed enemy spies.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

(figuratively) An act of living under false pretenses; a concealment of something by a false or unreal show; a disguise, a pretence; also, a pretentious display.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

(archaic) A change of behaviour resulting from intoxication, drunkenness.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

(figuratively) An assembly of varied, often fanciful, things.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

(transitive) To change the appearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity.

Spies often disguise themselves.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

(fandom) A cosplay event at which costumed attendees perform skits.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To transform or disfigure, to change the appearance of in general.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

(obsolete) A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask or masque.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

(transitive) To avoid giving away or revealing (something secret); to hide by a false appearance.

He disguised his true intentions.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A Spanish entertainment or military exercise in which squadrons of horses charge at each other, the riders fighting with bucklers and canes.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To dress in newfangled or showy clothing, to deck out in new fashions.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

(intransitive) To take part in a masquerade; to assemble in masks and costumes; (loosely) to wear a disguise.

I’m going to masquerade as an old-fashioned pilot. What are you going to dress up as?

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To dissemble, to talk or act falsely while concealing one’s thoughts.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To pass off as a different person or a person with qualities that one does not possess; also, to make a pretentious show of being what one is not.

He masqueraded as my friend until the truth finally came out.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To conceal (someone) with, or as if with, a mask; to disguise.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To change the guise or appearance of; especially, to conceal by an unusual dress, or one intended to mislead or deceive.

Bunyan was forced to disguise himself as a wagoner.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

An assembly of persons wearing masks, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.

In courtly balls and midnight masquerades.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To hide by a counterfeit appearance; to cloak by a false show; to mask; as, to disguise anger; to disguise one's sentiments, character, or intentions.

All God's angels come to us disguised.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A dramatic performance by actors in masks; a mask. See 1st Mask, 4.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

To affect or change by liquor; to intoxicate.

I have just left the right worshipful, and his myrmidons, about a sneaker of five gallons; the whole magistracy was pretty well disguised before I gave them the ship.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Acting or living under false pretenses; concealment of something by a false or unreal show; pretentious show; disguise.

That masquerade of misrepresentation which invariably accompanied the political eloquence of Rome.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

A dress or exterior put on for purposes of concealment or of deception; as, persons doing unlawful acts in disguise are subject to heavy penalties.

There is no passion which steals into the heart more imperceptibly and covers itself under more disguises, than pride.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A Spanish diversion on horseback.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Artificial language or manner assumed for deception; false appearance; counterfeit semblance or show.

That eye which glances through all disguises.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To assemble in masks; to take part in a masquerade.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Change of manner by drink; intoxication.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To frolic or disport in disquise; to make a pretentious show of being what one is not.

A freak took an ass in the head, and he goes into the woods, masquerading up and down in a lion's skin.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

A masque or masquerade.

Disguise was the old English word for a masque.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

To conceal with masks; to disguise.

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

An outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something;

The theatrical notion of disguise is always associated with catastrophe in his stories

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A party of guests wearing costumes and masks

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Any attire that modifies the appearance in order to conceal the wearer's identity

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

A costume worn as a disguise at a masquerade party

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

The act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance;

He is a master of disguise

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Making a false outward show;

A beggar's masquerade of wealth

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Make unrecognizable;

The herb disguises the garlic taste

We disguised our faces before robbing the bank

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Take part in a masquerade

Oct 04, 2023

Disguise

Disguise can refer to an outfit or persona adopted to conceal one's identity.

For the mission, she donned a disguise that made her look like a scientist.

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Pretend to be someone or something that you are not;

He is masquerading as the expert on the Internet

This silly novel is masquerading as a serious historical treaty

Oct 04, 2023

Masquerade

Masquerade involves presenting oneself as someone else or something one is not.

He decided to masquerade as a journalist to get into the event.

Oct 04, 2023

FAQs

Can a "disguise" be used for protection?

Yes, disguises can be utilized to protect someone by concealing their identity or blending them into a context.

Oct 20, 2023

Can "Disguise" and "Masquerade" be used interchangeably?

While somewhat synonymous, "disguise" typically refers to altering one’s appearance while "masquerade" can imply putting on a deceptive front or refer to a specific social event.

Oct 20, 2023

Is "masquerading" always considered deceptive or negative?

Not always. "Masquerading" can imply deception, but it can also neutrally describe participating in an event where people wear masks and costumes.

Oct 20, 2023

What is the purpose of a "disguise" in literature or films?

Disguises in literature or films often enable characters to navigate situations without being recognized, enabling various plot developments.

Oct 20, 2023

Can "masquerade" be used as a verb?

Yes, "masquerade" can be a verb, describing the act of pretending to be someone else or presenting oneself in a deceptive manner.

Oct 20, 2023

Is a "masquerade" always a physical event?

No, "masquerade" can also metaphorically describe deceptive appearances or actions.

Oct 20, 2023

Can "disguise" be used in a non-physical sense?

Yes, "disguise" can metaphorically describe concealing true intentions, feelings, or situations.

Oct 20, 2023

Does a "masquerade" always involve masks?

Traditionally, yes. A masquerade typically involves wearing masks, but it may sometimes be used more loosely to describe costumed events.

Oct 20, 2023

Can "disguise" also refer to hiding the presence of an object or a fact?

Yes, "disguise" can also refer to obscuring an object or fact, making it unrecognizable or concealed.

Oct 20, 2023

Can a "disguise" be used for entertainment, such as in theater or performance art?

Yes, disguises are often used in entertainment to allow performers to adopt different roles or to surprise the audience.

Oct 20, 2023

How does a "disguise" function in the animal kingdom?

In nature, disguises (camouflage or mimicry) often protect creatures by concealing them from predators or prey.

Oct 20, 2023

Is "masquerade" used in specific cultural or historical contexts?

Yes, "masquerade" can refer to specific masked balls in particular historical or cultural settings, especially within European history.

Oct 20, 2023

Can "masquerade" imply a degree of formality or extravagance?

Often yes, especially when referring to events, "masquerade" might imply a formal and extravagant gathering with masks and costumes.

Oct 20, 2023

Can disguises involve psychological or behavioral changes?

Yes, disguises can also encompass changes in behavior, speech patterns, or mannerisms to fully conceal one’s identity.

Oct 20, 2023

Is it common to use "masquerade" in everyday speech?

It's relatively common, used either to describe a deceptive act or literal events involving costume wearing.

Oct 20, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.