disguise

[dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz]

verb (used with object)

disguised, disguising 

1. 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.

2. to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent.

   to disguise one's intentions.

   Synonyms: dissemble, hide, mask, cloak

noun

1. 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.

2. the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer.

   a clown's disguise.

3. the act of disguising.

   to speak without disguise.

4. the state of being disguised; masquerade.

   The gods appeared in disguise.

disguise

/ dɪsˈɡaɪzɪdlɪ, dɪsˈɡaɪz /

verb

1. to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)

2. (tr) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaning

   to disguise the facts

noun

1. a mask, costume, or manner that disguises

2. the act of disguising or the state of being disguised

Other Word Forms

• disguisable adjective
• disguisedly adverb
• disguisedness noun
• disguiser noun
• disguisement noun
• nondisguised adjective
• predisguise noun
• undisguisable adjective
• undisguised adjective
• undisguisedly adverb
• well-disguised adjective
• disguised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disguise¹

1275–1325; Middle English disg ( u ) isen < Anglo-French, Old French de ( s ) guiser, equivalent to des- dis- ¹ + -guiser, derivative of guise guise

Word History and Origins

Origin of disguise¹

C14: from Old French desguisier, from des- _dis- ¹ + guise manner; see _guise

Idioms and Phrases

see blessing in disguise.

Example Sentences

I would probably interrogate them to see if they were one of the abosom, one of the Nsamanfo, or some monster in disguise.

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And yet he lived on in secret, under many names and disguises, including “Judge Quinzy.”

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Proof that Penelope is not a princess in disguise.

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For, much as actors specialize in pretending to be that which they are not, often with the use of clever disguises, noses made of putty and inscrutable accents, this parrot, too, was pretending.

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Thus, in time, serious scientists would be playing make-believe—disguising themselves in fuzzy-furry giant panda costumes.

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Related Words

• alter 
• belie 
• camouflage 
• cloak 
• conceal 
• deceive 
• dress up 
• gloss over 
• hide 
• mask 
• misrepresent 
• obscure