Masquerade, Masque, Carnival mask, Florentine mask 1. A costume party at which masks are worn; a masked ball. 2. a. A disguise or false outward show; a pretense: a masquerade of humility. b. An involved scheme; a charade. 3. To wear a mask or disguise, as at a masquerade a. To go about as if in disguise; have or put on a deceptive appearance