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

Russia will probably find ways around restrictions by setting up new supply chains to handle energy deals, and redoubling efforts to disguise where cargoes have come from using ship-to-ship transfers or manipulating ships’ transponders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Harvard, but some schools figured they could disguise their noncompliance.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A gang disguised as workers used power-tools and a mechanical ladder to gain access to the first-floor Gallery of Apollo in the world's most visited museum shortly after it opened on Sunday.

Read more on BBC

Some theft rings are more sophisticated than others, with thieves donning weapons, wigs or prosthetic disguises.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The policy institute’s complaint alleges that the union misreported information on its tax filings in a way that disguised the political nature of Garden State Forward and broke IRS reporting rules.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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