[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/unmask/)

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# unmask

verb (unmask, unmasks, unmasked, unmasking)

«unmask» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To unmask someone is to take off their mask so you can see their face. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#m1)
2. To unmask a person or plan is to show the truth about them, especially that they are a cheat, spy or criminal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#m2)

### In the lessons

In stories and cartoons: the villain is unmasked at the end (as in Scooby-Doo). In news: unmasking a fraud or a lie. It tells the reader the truth is finally coming out.

### Examples

- At the end, the kids unmasked the ghost – it was the caretaker! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x1)
- The detective unmasked the thief. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x2)
- The reporter unmasked the fake charity. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x3)
- The superhero was never unmasked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x4)
- At midnight, everyone at the party unmasked. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x5)
- The test unmasked a mistake in the plan. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/#x6)

### Note

Regular verb. Opposite: «mask». Noun: «unmasking». In the «reveal the truth» sense, close to «expose».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «unmask» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/U/unmask/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«unmask» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/unmask.html) on Mova free.