camouflage

American  

[kam-uh-flahzh] / ˈkæm əˌflɑʒ /

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!

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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)

camouflaged, camouflaging

1. to disguise by means of camouflage.

   to camouflage ships by painting them gray.

   Synonyms:

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

verb (used without object)

camouflaged, camouflaging

1. to use camouflage.

   The angel shark camouflages in the sand.

camouflage British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (tr) to conceal by camouflage

camouflage Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• camouflageable adjective
• camouflager noun
• camouflagic adjective
• uncamouflaged adjective
• well-camouflaged adjective

Etymology

Origin of camouflage

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

Explanation

To camouflage is to disguise, and a camouflage is that which disguises — like the leaf-colored and patterned uniforms worn by soldiers who want to blend in with their natural surroundings. Camouflage evolved from the French camoufler, which was slang for “to disguise.” Camoufler itself most likely comes from camouflet, meaning “puff of smoke” — a puff of smoke that makes it hard to see things. Camouflaged clothing certainly hides hunters from their prey, but the word can also be used in a more figurative sense, as in camouflaging criticism by veiling it as a backhanded compliment.

Example Sentences

This is the modern American gothic: grainy photos taken on a MacBook of a teenage girl in a camouflage jacket, holding a gun, and posted on Tumblr.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

A rattlesnake’s first line of defense is camouflage, Taylor noted.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

This innovation could lead to improved camouflage systems for both humans and robots, as well as flexible displays that change color for wearable devices.

From Science Daily • Mar. 31, 2026

Mr. Barnes uses his neatly attired Englishness as camouflage for narrative experimentation and legerdemain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

So far, their Death Mist camouflage plan seemed to be working.

From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan

Related Words

• cloak
• conceal
• cover
• disguise
• hide
• mask
• obscure