Mask Meaning
Mask Definition & Usage
A covering worn on the face to disguise, protect, or hide one's identity, or for decorative, ceremonial, or protective purposes.
Examples
- "She wore a mask to the costume party to keep her identity secret."
- "The doctor wore a surgical mask to protect himself from germs."
- "Masks are often worn during religious rituals in various cultures."
- "In some cultures, masks are used during festivals to honor gods and spirits."
- "The burglar wore a ski mask to conceal his face during the robbery."
To hide or obscure something, often in a way that deceives or alters its true nature.
Examples
- "She tried to mask her disappointment with a smile."
- "The bright lights of the city seemed to mask the quietness of the countryside."
- "He wore sunglasses to mask his tired eyes."
- "The thick fog helped to mask the sound of the approaching car."
- "The new regulations were designed to mask the company's financial problems from investors."
A deceptive or false outward appearance that is intended to hide the true nature or reality of something.
Examples
- "Underneath his mask of confidence, he was struggling with self-doubt."
- "Her cheerful personality was just a mask to hide her true feelings of insecurity."
- "The mask of perfection she wore at work was starting to crack."
- "They lived behind the mask of a perfect family, but their personal issues were overwhelming."
- "His friendly demeanor was just a mask for his hidden agenda."
Cultural Context
The mask is a universal symbol used across cultures for various purposes. Historically, masks were used for protection, disguise, or rituals, often linked to ancient practices or theatre. In modern times, they have become more prevalent in the form of medical masks, such as during pandemics or health emergencies.
Behind the Mask
Story
Behind the Mask
In the bustling city of New York, Sarah walked down the crowded streets, a surgical mask covering her face. It was a strange time — a pandemic had gripped the world, and people wore masks everywhere to protect themselves. But for Sarah, the mask was more than just a physical barrier; it was a shield for her emotions. Her heart was heavy with grief after losing her mother, but no one could tell. Every day, she masked her sorrow with a smile, pretending everything was fine. At work, her colleagues praised her for her strength, unaware of the turmoil beneath the mask. She had become so skilled at hiding her feelings that she sometimes forgot what it was like to truly let them show. One afternoon, Sarah found herself at a café with her best friend, Mark. As they chatted about trivial things, Sarah's mind wandered. She realized that she had been wearing a mask for so long, not just physically, but emotionally too. Mark, sensing something was wrong, gently asked, 'Sarah, what's really going on? You're not yourself.' It was then that Sarah decided to remove her emotional mask, for the first time in months. She told Mark everything — her grief, her fear, her longing for her mother. Mark listened quietly, offering comfort. And for the first time in a long while, Sarah felt a weight lift from her shoulders. In that moment, she understood that while a physical mask could protect you, it was the emotional masks that were the hardest to remove. The story ended with Sarah feeling more liberated, realizing that true strength lay in vulnerability, not in hiding behind masks.
