guise
noun
general external appearance; aspect; semblance.
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guise
1 American
[gahyz]
/ gaɪz /
noun
verb (used with object)
guised,
guising
verb (used without object)
guised,
guising
Guise
2
American
[geez]
/ giz /
noun
-
François de Lorraine 2nd Duc de, 1519–63, French general and statesman.
-
his son Henri I de Lorraine Duc de, 1550–88, French general and leader of opposition to the Huguenots.
guise
British
/ ɡaɪz /
noun
-
semblance or pretence
under the guise of friendship
-
external appearance in general
-
archaic manner or style of dress
-
obsolete customary behaviour or manner
verb
-
dialect to disguise or be disguised in fancy dress
-
archaic (tr) to dress or dress up
Related Words
See appearance.
Etymology
Origin of guise
1175–1225; (noun) Middle English g ( u ) ise < Old French < Germanic; see wise 2: (v.) Middle English gisen, derivative of the noun
Explanation
The noun guise refers to an outward appearance that conceals the true nature of someone or something. Your classmate might chat with you under the guise of friendship, but you know she's really just looking for juicy gossip. No doubt you’ve noticed the similarity between guise and disguise. Both involve the art of deception: it’s the methods that differ. Guise is about trying on new attitudes and mannerisms, such as speaking and acting in the guise of a native in a place where you are actually a tourist. Disguise involves hiding your real identity, disappearing in the new role.
Vocabulary lists containing guise
Warm-up, List 1
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"Mother Tongue" by Amy Tan
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "G"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Two officers were sent to the address Alex was working at under the guise they were looking for a missing car.
From BBC • May 13, 2026
Just this week, Disney announced sizable layoffs under the guise of “streamlining operations,” canning a large percentage of Marvel’s award-winning visual effects team that has been with the studio for years.
From Salon • Apr. 17, 2026
“I will not allow any corporation to sell harmful, toxic materials to consumers at a premium price under the guise of wellness and sustainability,” he said.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
“When I think about a song like ‘Take It,’ it’s more about loss and more in the guise of a relationship.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
Still, what little we say to one another often comes back in another guise.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
