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Wear a Mask: Meanings, Examples, and Usage Tips (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：put on a face covering (wear a mask)
wear a mask
/wɛr ə mæsk/
v. phr.
To put on a piece of cloth or other material over your nose and mouth to protect yourself or others.
put on a face covering
➕
/pʊt ɑn ə feɪs ˈkʌvərɪŋ/
v. phr.
To place a cloth or medical covering over the nose and mouth to prevent the spread of germs or protect oneself from pollutants.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
wear (Old English werian) + mask (Italian maschera), originally a face covering for theater or disguise.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine 'wear a mask' as putting on a second face: one for safety, one for secrets.
📖 Example
To help prevent the spread of colds, it's a good idea to wear a mask in crowded places.
To help prevent the spread of colds, it's a good idea to wear a mask in crowded places.
🔗 Collocations
wear a surgical mask – put on a medical-grade face covering
wear a cloth mask – put on a reusable fabric face covering
wear a face mask – put on any type of mask covering the nose and mouth
🔄 Synonyms
put on a mask (v. phr.) – to place a mask over one's face
don a mask (v. phr.) – to put on a mask formally
cover one's face (v. phr.) – to conceal the face with a mask or cloth
🚫 Antonyms
take off a mask (v. phr.) – to remove a mask from the face
uncover one's face (v. phr.) – to reveal the face by removing a covering
🌱 Derivatives
masked (adj.) – wearing a mask
mask-wearing (n.) – the act or practice of wearing a mask
unmask (v.) – to remove a mask or reveal someone's true identity
📖 Cultural Story
Masks date back to ancient Greek theater (persona) and medieval carnivals. Modern public health use surged during the 1918 flu and COVID-19, becoming a symbol of protection and civic duty.
Meaning 2：hide one's true feelings (wear a mask)
wear a mask
/wɛr ə mæsk/
v. phr.
To hide your true feelings or thoughts and show a different emotion to people.
hide one's true feelings
➕
/haɪd wʌnz truː ˈfiːlɪŋz/
v. phr.
To deliberately show a different emotion or expression than what one truly feels, in order to deceive or maintain social composure.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Even though she was nervous about the presentation, she chose to wear a mask of confidence in front of her team.
Even though she was nervous about the presentation, she chose to wear a mask of confidence in front of her team.
🔗 Collocations
wear a mask of calm – to appear calm despite inner anxiety
wear a mask of indifference – to act uninterested while caring deeply
wear a mask of happiness – to smile outwardly while feeling sad
🔄 Synonyms
dissemble (v.) – to conceal one's true motives or feelings under a pretense
feign (v.) – to pretend to have a particular feeling or problem
put on a front (v. phr.) – to pretend to be confident or happy when you are not
🚫 Antonyms
be genuine (v. phr.) – to show one's real feelings without pretense
show true emotions (v. phr.) – to display honest feelings openly
be transparent (v. phr.) – to be open and honest about one's thoughts
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