a party of guests wearing costumes and masks
"The annual Halloween masquerade will feature live music, food stalls, and dozens of elaborate costumes for all ages to enjoy."
a costume worn as a disguise at a masquerade party
"She spent hours sewing intricate feathers onto her elaborate masquerade before slipping through the velvet ropes of the ballroom."
An assembly or party of people wearing (usually elaborate or fanciful) masks and costumes, and amusing themselves with dancing, conversation, or other diversions.
"The ballroom buzzed with laughter as guests mingled at the masquerade, their elegant masks hiding smiles behind shimmering feathers and intricate lace."
take part in a masquerade
"The guests donned elaborate masks to attend the annual masquerade at the grand ballroom."
pretend to be someone or something that you are not
"he is masquerading as an expert on the internet"
"This silly novel is masquerading as a serious historical treaty"
To take part in a masquerade; to assemble in masks and costumes; (loosely) to wear a disguise.
"We arrived at the ball just as everyone else was finishing their masquerade, eager to see who had hidden behind which elaborate mask."
The word "masquerade" comes from Middle French and originally meant a performance involving masks. It traces back to the Italian word for mask, which itself was borrowed from Medieval Latin.