masquerader

Masquerader refers to a person who wears a mask or disguises their identity, either for concealment, performance, or deception. A masquerader may participate in a masquerade, a social event at which attendees wear masks and costumes, or impersonate another person in everyday or fraudulent contexts.

It derives from the act of masquerade, from French mascarade and Italian mascherare, meaning to mask or feign. Historically the term has described both the performer who dons disguises and the subject who is imitated.

In social life, masqueraders attend masquerade balls, carnivals, or themed parties as part of entertainment or tradition. In theatre and literature, disguises allow characters to conceal identity, reveal secrets, or explore themes of truth and performance, from commmedia dell'arte to contemporary drama. In modern usage, a masquerader can also refer to an impostor who assumes another's identity for personal gain, which can be illegal or ethically problematic.

Related concepts include cosplay, performance art, and the broader idea of anonymity. Impersonation and fraud laws in many jurisdictions regulate disguises used to deceive for financial or other advantages.