Masking
/ˈmæskɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo cover or conceal something, often to protect or hide it.
/ˈmæskɪŋ/
To cover or conceal something.
The soldiers were masking their movements to avoid detection.
💡 Simply: Masking is like when you hide something. Like, if you're painting, you might use tape to mask the parts you don't want to paint.
👶 For kids: Masking is like hiding something. Like when you wear a mask to hide your face!
More Examples
She was masking her disappointment with a smile.
How It's Used
"The artist was masking the area to be painted."
"He was masking his true emotions."
The act or process of covering or concealing something.
/ˈmæskɪŋ/
The act of concealing or covering.
The artist used masking to define the edges of her painting.
💡 Simply: Masking is like a cover-up. Like when you use a mask to protect your face from the sun, that's a kind of masking.
👶 For kids: Masking is like when you put something over something else, like a blanket on your bed!
More Examples
Auditory masking can make it difficult to hear quiet sounds.
How It's Used
"The masking of the image data prevented unwanted artifacts."
"Auditory masking makes some sounds inaudible."
Having the qualities of, or being, a mask or method of concealing or obscuring.
/ˈmæskɪŋ/
Relating to a mechanism or material used to obscure or cover
The patient was undergoing a masking procedure.
💡 Simply: When you use a masking tape to protect something during a paint job, it's a form of masking.
👶 For kids: Masking is like having something that covers or hides!
More Examples
The company was using masking software to obscure sensitive information.
How It's Used
"Masking tape is useful to protect areas to be treated with a medical procedure."
"Masking techniques are essential to maintain security."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
masking effect
The obscuring of one sound by the presence of another.
"The masking effect made it hard to identify the specific sounds."
masking agent
A substance used to hide or reduce the effect of another substance.
"The masking agent was added to the perfume to cover the alcohol smell."
From Middle English masken, from Old French masquier ('to disguise'), from Italian maschera ('mask').
The verb form 'mask' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to disguising oneself or hiding the face. The noun 'masking' and related forms evolved with developments in art, industry, and technology.
Memory tip
Think of a Halloween mask covering your face – masking is like that, hiding something.
Word Origin
"To disguise or hide"