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Face Mask: Meaning, Types, and How to Use (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：protective mask (Face mask)
Face mask
/ˈfeɪs ˌmæsk/
n.
A covering worn over the nose and mouth to protect yourself or others from germs, dust, or pollution.
protective mask
➕
/prəˈtɛktɪv mæsk/
n.
A covering worn over the nose and mouth to protect against germs, dust, or pollution, often made of cloth or medical material.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Compound of 'face' (front of the head) and 'mask' (covering for disguise or protection).
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a mask that covers your face like a superhero or a spa queen.
📖 Example
Before getting on the bus, she made sure her face mask was on properly.
Before getting on the bus, she made sure her face mask was on properly.
🔗 Collocations
wear a face mask – to put on a mask that covers the nose and mouth for protection
surgical face mask – a disposable medical mask used to prevent droplet transmission
face mask mandate – a government rule requiring face coverings in public
🔄 Synonyms
respirator (n.) – A protective device that filters air, often used in healthcare or industrial settings.
face covering (n.) – A general term for any material worn over the mouth and nose.
cloth mask (n.) – A reusable fabric mask, often used for daily protection.
🚫 Antonyms
bare face (n.) – A face without any covering, leaving the mouth and nose exposed.
🌱 Derivatives
face-masked (adj.) – Wearing a face mask.
maskless (adj.) – Not wearing a mask.
📖 Cultural Story
The medical face mask became widely used during the 1918 influenza pandemic. Sheet masks originated from Japanese beauty trends in the 2000s, popularizing at-home skincare rituals.
Meaning 2：beauty mask (Face mask)
Face mask
/ˈfeɪs ˌmæsk/
n.
A skincare product applied to the face, often creamy or a sheet, to clean, moisturize, or improve the skin.
beauty mask
➕
/ˈbjuːti mæsk/
n.
A skincare product applied to the face, such as a cream, gel, or sheet, to cleanse, moisturize, or treat the skin.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
After a long week at work, she enjoys putting on a hydrating face mask and relaxing.
After a long week at work, she enjoys putting on a hydrating face mask and relaxing.
🔗 Collocations
apply a face mask – to spread or place a mask on the face for skincare benefits
sheet mask – a single-use fabric mask soaked in essence, placed over the face
clay mask – a mask made of clay that absorbs oil and deep-cleans pores
🔄 Synonyms
sheet mask (n.) – A thin fabric mask infused with serum, applied directly to the face.
face pack (n.) – A thick creamy or clay-based mask applied to the skin to nourish or purify.
facial mask (n.) – Another term for a skincare mask, often used in professional beauty treatments.
🚫 Antonyms
face wash (n.) – A cleansing product used to remove dirt and oil, not left on the skin.
🌱 Derivatives
face-masking (n.) – The act of applying a face mask as part of skincare routine.
masked (adj.) – Covered with a face mask (skincare).
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