Mask means to hide or disguise something, or a covering you wear to conceal your face or protect yourself.

When you wear a mask on Halloween, you transform into someone else entirely. A superhero's mask hides their real identity so villains can't target their families. Actors in ancient Greek theaters wore masks with exaggerated expressions so audiences in the back rows could tell which character was speaking.

Masks also protect us from danger. A surgeon wears a mask to keep germs away from patients during operations. A welder wears a mask with dark glass to shield their eyes from bright sparks. Firefighters wear masks with oxygen tanks when entering smoke-filled buildings.

Masking also works in non-physical ways. Someone might mask their true feelings by pretending to be happy when they're actually sad or worried. A strong smell might mask a bad odor, like when your mom lights a candle after burning dinner. In these cases, one thing covers up or hides another.

Throughout history, people have used masks for protection, disguise, ceremony, and performance. A mask lets you hide something real or become something imagined.