guise

guise

noun \ˈgīz\

Definition of GUISE

1

: a form or style of dress : costume

2

a obsolete : manner, fashion b archaic : a customary way of speaking or behaving

3

a : external appearance : semblance b : pretext

Examples of GUISE

1. <my new neighbor began seeking my company under the guise of friendship, but he turned out to be a member of a religious cult bent on conversion>
2. <she felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink>

Origin of GUISE

Middle English gise, guise, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wīsa manner — more at wise

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to GUISE

Synonyms: act, airs, charade, disguise, facade (also façade), front, masquerade, playacting, pose, pretense (or pretence), put-on, semblance, show

Related Words: impersonation, performance, portrayal; image, persona; appearance, color, gloss; camouflage, cloak; affectation, deceit, deception, dissembling, dissimulation, double-dealing, duplicity, fakery, fraud, guile; betrayal, double cross, faithlessness, falseness, falsity, infidelity, perfidy, treachery, treason, unfaithfulness; excuse, pretext

Near Antonyms: bluntness, candidness, candor, directness, forthrightness, frankness, openheartedness, outspokenness, plainspokenness, sincerity, straightforwardness; artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete or naiveté)

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Rhymes with GUISE

prize, rise, size, wise