disguise

1 of 2

verb

dis·​guise də-ˈskīz 

dis-ˈgīz,

 also  diz-

disguised; disguising

transitive verb

1

a

: to change the customary dress (see dress entry 2 sense 1) or appearance of

disguised herself in a wig and glasses

b

: to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed (see assume sense 3) identity

disguised as a beggar

2

obsolete : disfigure

3

: to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal

unable to disguise his true feelings

disguisedly

də-ˈskīz(-ə)d-lē 

dis-ˈgīz(-ə)d-

 also  diz-

adverb

disguisement

də-ˈskīz-mənt 

dis-ˈgīz-

 also  diz-

noun

disguiser noun

disguise

2 of 2

noun

1

: apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's

The bank robber was wearing a disguise.

2

: the act of disguising

3

a

: form misrepresenting the true nature of something

blessings in disguise

b

: an artificial manner : pretense

threw off all disguise

Synonyms

Verb

• camouflage
• cloak
• dress up
• mask

Noun

• camouflage
• costume
• guise

Choose the Right Synonym for disguise

disguise, cloak, mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature.

disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Verb

He tried to disguise his voice on the phone but I could tell it was him.

She disguised herself in a wig and glasses.

We disguised the fact that we were disappointed.

Noun

He wore a disguise of glasses, a fake mustache, and a cap.

The famous thief is known to be a master of disguise.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Sometimes, North Korean developers even land jobs at companies using fake identities and virtual private networks to disguise their location. —Iain Martin, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

The rule bans businesses from using such tactics to disguise prices and mislead customers who rent short-term lodging, such as hotels and vacation homes, along with consumers who buy tickets to concerts, sports and other live events, the FTC announced Tuesday. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Dec. 2024

Noun

Many of the Type 00’s details will also be hiding under that disguise. —Ben Oliver, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2024

Though tough to tell, thanks to his more recent disguise, our culprit is, in fact, the film’s screenwriter, Marshall. —Tom Smyth, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English disgisen, from Anglo-French desguiser, deguiser, from des- dis- + guise guise

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing disguise

• in disguise
• penetrate someone's disguise

Kids Definition

disguise

1 of 2 verb

dis·​guise dis-ˈgīz 

disguised; disguising

1

: to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal identity

spies disguised as tourists

2

: to keep from showing the existence or true character of : hide

disguised their true feelings

tried to disguise her voice

disguisedly

-ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē 

adverb

disguiser noun

disguise

2 of 2 noun

1

: clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate another's

2

: an outward appearance that hides what something really is

a blessing in disguise