definitions

disguise

[ dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz ]
/ dɪsˈgaɪz, dɪˈskaɪz /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR disguise ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), dis·guised, dis·guis·ing.

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.
to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent: to disguise one's intentions.

noun

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.
the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer: a clown's disguise.
the act of disguising: to speak without disguise.
the state of being disguised; masquerade: The gods appeared in disguise.

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RELATED WORDS

guise, veil, cloak, camouflage, trickery, conceal, belie, deceive, hide, obscure, alter, blind, color, pretension, costume, facade, dress, counterfeit, coloring, pseudonym

Nearby words

disgrace, disgraceful, disgregate, disgruntle, disgruntled, disguise, disgust, disgustful, disgusting, dish, dish aerial

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

Related forms

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for disguise

British Dictionary definitions for disguise

disguise

/ (dɪsˈɡaɪz) /

verb

to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)
(tr) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaningto disguise the facts

noun

a mask, costume, or manner that disguises
the act of disguising or the state of being disguised

Derived Forms

disguisable, adjectivedisguised, adjectivedisguisedly (dɪsˈɡaɪzɪdlɪ), adverbdisguiser, noun

Word Origin for disguise

C14: from Old French desguisier, from des- dis- 1 + guise manner; see guise
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with disguise

disguise

see blessing in disguise.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.