unmask

/ʌnˈmæsk/

//ʌnˈmæsk// verb

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"unmask" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“unmask” is uncommon English (frequency #54,551 among 23,789 “U” headwords), classed as a verb. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#54,551
frequency rank, English
23,789
“U” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - To remove a mask from someone.

Key facts for unmask
PropertyValue
Headwordunmask
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechVerb
IPA/ʌnˈmæsk/
Letters6
Frequency rank#54,551
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “unmask” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). unmask lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

unmask is uncommon English at frequency #54,551 among 23,789 “U” headwords, classed as averb, transcribed /ʌnˈmæsk/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 6 senses are on record.

Zero misspellings are on record for unmask in our index, suggesting the orthography follows predictable English patterns. This entry stands alone in our confusable dataset, since nothing in our dataset looks or sounds close enough to cause mix-ups.

Etymologically, the entry records: From un- + mask. Compare typologically reveal (see more). The correct English form is unmask, spelled U-N-M-A-S-K.

Definition

  1. 1
    To remove a mask from someone.
  2. 2
    To expose, or reveal the true character of someone.
  3. 3
    To remove one's mask.
  4. 4
    To cease engaging in masking, to cease disguising one's autism.
  5. 5
    To expose something that was concealed or shielded from an enemy.
  6. 6
    To enable (an interrupt, etc.) by unsetting or setting the associated bit.

Etymology

From un- + mask. Compare typologically reveal (see more).

This word in other languages

descubrir(Español)démasquer(Français)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "unmask"?
"unmask" is spelled U-N-M-A-S-K. The IPA pronunciation is /ʌnˈmæsk/.
What does "unmask" mean?
As a verb, "unmask" means: To remove a mask from someone.
How do you pronounce "unmask"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "unmask" is /ʌnˈmæsk/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "unmask"?
From un- + mask. Compare typologically reveal (see more). See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “unmask”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is U-N-M-A-S-K - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ʌnˈmæsk/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list