How to pronounce masquerade
Say it like mas-kuh-RAYD. Masquerade has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAYD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce masquerade. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- mas
- kuh
- RAYD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Masquerade pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- masGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of masquerade
American and British speakers say masquerade in essentially the same way: /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/ in the US and /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/ in the UK.
British respelling: mas-kuh-RAYD.
What does masquerade mean?
- 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?”
- To pass oneself 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.”
- To appear as something else.
- 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 at their home.”
- The act of wearing a mask or dressing up in a costume for, or as if for, a masquerade ball.
- 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.
Where does masquerade come from?
The verb is derived from the noun.
Words that rhyme with masquerade
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of masquerade.
Questions about saying masquerade
How do you pronounce masquerade?
Say mas-kuh-RAYD. The American pronunciation is /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/. In British English it is /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in masquerade?
Masquerade has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAYD). Broken into parts: mas · kuh · RAYD.
Do Americans and Brits say masquerade the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/ and the British form is /ˌmæskəˈreɪd/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.