The Masked Lapwing is predominantly white below, with brown wings and back and a black crown. Birds have large yellow wattles covering the face, and are equipped with a thorny spur that projects from the wrist on each wing. The spur is yellow with a black tip. Northern birds are smaller, without the partial black collar, but have a much larger wttle, which covers most of the side of the face. The sexes are similar in both subspecies, although the male tends to have a larger spur.

Masked Lapwings are large (33 to 38 cm), ground-dwelling birds that are closely related to the waders. They are unmistakable in both appearance and voice, which is a loud "kekekekekekekek".

Young Masked Lapwings are similar to the adult birds, but may have a darker back. The wing spur and facial wattles are either absent or smaller in size.