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

Hair installations or systems - such as wigs, toupees or extensions - and skin camouflage products such as pigmented fibre sprays may help to disguise the condition, according to the British Association of Dermatologists.

From BBC

No amount of fast-talking can disguise that, no attempt at a three-card trick is going to fool a single fan at this point.

From BBC

This is the new white nationalism: decentralized, modernized, more agile and disguised as self-improvement.

From Salon

Israel insists that Hamas militants are hiding inside or near healthcare facilities, or that the group’s cadres disguise themselves as medical personnel, civil defense crews and journalists.

From Los Angeles Times

The club said they would ban the "criminals disguised as fans who responded violently to the attacks by the visiting fans" and said they would seek compensation for the "material damages" to their facilities.

From BBC

Related Words

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