disguise
Americanverb (used with object)
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to change the appearance or guise of so as to conceal identity or mislead, as by means of deceptive garb.
The king was disguised as a peasant.
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to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent.
to disguise one's intentions.
noun
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that which disguises; something that serves or is intended for concealment of identity, character, or quality; a deceptive covering, condition, manner, etc..
Noble words can be the disguise of base intentions.
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the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer.
a clown's disguise.
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the act of disguising.
to speak without disguise.
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the state of being disguised; masquerade.
The gods appeared in disguise.
verb
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to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)
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(tr) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaning
to disguise the facts
noun
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a mask, costume, or manner that disguises
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the act of disguising or the state of being disguised
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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disguisernoun
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disguisableadjective
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predisguisenoun
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disguisednessnoun
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well-disguisedadjective
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disguisedadjective
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undisguisedlyadverb
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undisguisableadjective
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undisguisedadjective
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nondisguisedadjective
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disguisedlyadverb
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disguisementnoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has disguisedperfect 3rd person singular
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have disguisedperfect
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has been disguisingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been disguisingperfect progressive
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am disguisingprogressive 1st person singular
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disguisingparticiple
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disguisessingular 3rd person
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are disguisingprogressive
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is disguisingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had disguisedperfect
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disguisedparticiple
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were disguisingprogressive plural
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had been disguisingperfect progressive
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disguisedsimple
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was disguisingprogressive singular
Future
Etymology
Origin of disguise
1275–1325; Middle English disg ( u ) isen < Anglo-French, Old French de ( s ) guiser, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + -guiser, derivative of guise guise
Explanation
A disguise is something you put on so no one recognizes you. It also can be used as a verb. You can disguise yourself with a wig and mustache; that's a great disguise. Disguise can be used anytime you're talking about concealing or hiding something. Most of the time we think of a disguise as something you wear, but you can also disguise your feelings. Criminals might disguise their intentions. You can also use the word to describe something that seems to be one thing, but turns out to be another. You missed the plane, but then the plane crashed. That's a blessing in disguise.
Vocabulary lists containing disguise
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
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Legend
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It’s a disguise “Obsession” wears so well that it’s fooling people into thinking this perfectly adequate film marks the arrival of a new horror classic.
From Salon • Jun. 4, 2026
According to Reveles, Simmon would often disguise himself whenever he ventured outside the home, wearing elaborate costumes ranging from clown outfits to women’s clothing in an effort to avoid public attention.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 3, 2026
Before the advent of television, it was much easier for presidents to disguise their health struggles.
From BBC • May 30, 2026
While the popular girls strutted through the halls with their effortless Pinterest-inspired updos, I was applying brown eyeshadow to my scalp to disguise the sparse spots.
From Slate • May 23, 2026
She kept away from other people, worried that they’d see through her disguise.
From "Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
