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

“It is a cheap way to reduce head count, there’s no disguising that,” said Stanford’s Bloom.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Lawns have a way of turning our sense of pride and order into a to-do list disguised as virtue.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“The Treasury secretary would need to find the proposed change in Fed holdings acceptable, given that it is partially fiscal policy in disguise,” Warsh says.

Read more on Barron's

“Mookie did a great job of disguising the wheel play,” Thomson said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The interactions are bracing but also a bit studied — the performers’ technique is more impressive than the story, which too often is merely a delivery device for misery disguised as searing truth.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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