camouflage

[ kam-uh-flahzh ]

noun

1. the act, means, or result of obscuring things to deceive an enemy, as by painting or screening objects so that they are lost to view in the background, or by making up objects that from a distance have the appearance of fortifications, guns, roads, etc.:

   Was camouflage used extensively on fighter aircraft during World War I?

2. concealment by some means that alters or obscures the appearance:

   Drab plumage provides the bird with camouflage against predators.

3. a device or stratagem used for concealment:

   His loud laughter is really camouflage for his basic shyness.

   Synonyms: cover, front, blind, mask

4. clothing made of fabric with a mottled design, usually in shades of green and brown, as that used in military camouflage:

   The street vendors are all selling camouflage this week: pants, jackets, T-shirts, even underwear!

adjective

1. (of fabric or clothing) made with or having a mottled design, as that used in military camouflage:

   a camouflage T-shirt.

verb (used with object)

, cam·ou·flaged, cam·ou·flag·ing.

1. to disguise by means of camouflage:

   to camouflage ships by painting them gray.

   Synonyms: dissemble, dissimulate, trick, deceive, mask, conceal, hide

verb (used without object)

, cam·ou·flaged, cam·ou·flag·ing.

1. to use camouflage:

   The angel shark camouflages in the sand.

camouflage

/ ˈkæməˌflɑːʒ /

noun

1. the exploitation of natural surroundings or artificial aids to conceal or disguise the presence of military units, equipment, etc
2. modifier (of fabric or clothing) having a design of irregular patches of dull colours (such as browns and greens), as used in military camouflage
3. the means by which animals escape the notice of predators, usually because of a resemblance to their surroundings: includes cryptic and apatetic coloration
4. a device or expedient designed to conceal or deceive

verb

1. tr to conceal by camouflage

camouflage

/ kăm′ə-fläzh′ /

1. Protective coloring or another feature that conceals an animal and enables it to blend into its surroundings.
2. Compare warning coloration

Other Words From

• camou·flagea·ble adjective
• camou·flager noun
• camou·flagic adjective
• un·camou·flaged adjective
• well-camou·flaged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of camouflage¹

First recorded in 1915–20; from French, equivalent to camoufl(er) “to disguise” (probably a verbal derivative of camouflet ) + -age noun suffix; camouflet, -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of camouflage¹

C20: from French, from camoufler, from Italian camuffare to disguise, deceive, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

Next, it cycles through other confusing behaviors — jetting, shooting ink and reverting to camouflage — until it has eluded the enemy.

From Science News

This camouflage comes from a layer of densely packed, pigmented structures just below the skin’s surface.

From Science News For Students

Not only is the robot wearing clothes, those clothes happen to be a camouflaged chemical protection suit and gas mask.

From Singularity Hub 

All modern, adult birds molt at least once a year to replace old, damaged feathers, or to exchange their bright summer colors for drab winter camouflage.

From Science News

That camouflage is the result of a layer of densely packed pigment-containing structures just below the skin’s surface, researchers report online July 16 in Current Biology.

From Science News

Overnight people shed their fears, their protective camouflage and their restraints.

From The Daily Beast

Then, from a pocket inside his camouflage top, he pulled a hidden stainless steel flask.

From The Daily Beast

For a veteran seeking answers, that particular moment made Basetrack Live feel more like West Side Story in MARPAT camouflage.

From The Daily Beast

A prime example of creepy camouflage is thinking of harassment as compliments.

From The Daily Beast

The bigot now employs camouflage in translating his prejudices into reality.

From The Daily Beast

It is not always the airman, in these days of camouflage, who brings word of ammunition trains or of new batteries.

From Project Gutenberg

Artillery was everywhere, mostly in little pits over which the gunners were spreading green strips of camouflage.

From Project Gutenberg

As a rule the young girl knows what she is doing, but she is taught to camouflage it, to preserve her "innocence."

From Project Gutenberg

Of course I know they're always calling each other by pet names; but that's mere camouflage for their matter-of-factness.

From Project Gutenberg

She was wearing army camouflage pants and giant gothy boots with steel over-toes.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cloak
• conceal
• cover
• cover up
• disguise
• mask
• obscure