disguise

verb dis·guise \ də-ˈskīz , dis-ˈgīz also diz- \

|Updated on: 20 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: disguise in a Sentence

Definition of disguise

disguised; disguising

transitive verb

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

disguised herself in a wig and glasses

b : to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed (see assume 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

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disguisedly

play \-ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē, -ˈkīz(-ə)d-\ adverb

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disguisement

play \-ˈgīz-mənt, -ˈkīz-\ noun

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disguiser

noun

See disguise defined for English-language learners

See disguise defined for kids

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of disguise from the Web

The purpose of the non-alcoholic Mamma Beer is to disguise dysgeusia, or distortion of the taste, the site reports.

— caroline judelson, Fox News, "Czech beer brewed to aid cancer patients with loss of taste, appetite," 10 July 2018
The game does little to disguise the priorities of its makers.

— The Economist, "Fighting the resource curse through online gaming," 28 June 2018
Another way to disguise solar is to build it into shingles or tiles that blend into the roof.

— kathleen pender, San Francisco Chronicle, "Solar mandate could change how California homes are built," 1 June 2018
The two-stage RAT lets its remote operators steal data, install new programs, and act as a proxy for Internet traffic to disguise attacks on new targets.

— dan goodin, Ars Technica, "With possible summit approaching, North Korean espionage hacks continue," 1 June 2018
Back in Season One, Dr. Ford radiated menace, intelligence, and mystery—which, in the end, turned out to be a bunch of smoke and mirrors to disguise a character arc that never really added up.

— scott meslow, GQ, "Westworld Season 2 Episode 6 Recap: Off the Rails," 28 May 2018
Jones' daughter, Emily, told KGO that cabinet doors were ripped off the hinges and surfaces were coated with vegetable oil in an attempt to disguise fingerprints.

— joy johnston, ajc, "Airbnb host says her home was robbed, trashed by renters," 12 May 2018
The new cards look more like traditional playing cards, with a busy pattern and a rough border intended to disguise marks.

— deborah gage, WSJ, "The 10 Biggest Crowdfunding Campaigns: Where Are They Now?," 1 May 2018
On offense, there is no way to disguise the fact that Golden State does not have to guard Dejounte Murray or Kyle Anderson and easily can take away everything that makes Pau Gasol effective.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "In blaming themselves, Spurs avoid ugly truth," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disguise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of disguise

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

disguise Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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

disguise

noun

Definition of disguise

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

See disguise defined for English-language learners

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

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 of disguise from the Web

And while viewers have yet to see his final look, his disguise seems to have worked.

— jodi guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Sacha Baron Cohen Asks Dick Cheney to Sign 'Waterboard Kit' in Surprise New Show," 9 July 2018
Where did Lando get his disguise for Jabba’s palace?

— dan gvozden, The Hollywood Reporter, "74 'Star Wars' Questions 'Solo' Insisted on Answering," 1 June 2018
Agis falls in love with Léonide right through her boy disguise, which occasions a rather awkward embrace.

— john timpane, Philly.com, "'Triumph of Love' at Bristol Riverside: Goofy, bawdy romp," 11 May 2018
Found mainly in the tropical waters throughout the Indo-Pacific, these remarkable creatures use their disguises to both ambush prey and avoid becoming lunch themselves.

— troy farah, Smithsonian, "Why Did a Venomous Fish Evolve a Glowing Eye Spike?," 29 Mar. 2018
Three safeties gives you coverage flexibility, disguise and more speed.

— andy benoit, SI.com, "2018 NFL Draft Grades: Analysis of All 32 Teams," 28 Apr. 2018
Hurlbert's use of masks and Mardi Gras to express the themes of disguise and deception does not come across as contrived.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "What are the 3 coolest spots on Conde Nast Traveler's New Orleans list?," 21 Mar. 2018
The worker saw right through the disguise and didn't sell them the ticket.

— william axford, Houston Chronicle, "Watch: Two kids try to sneak into 'Black Panther' as one really tall man," 19 Feb. 2018
But Spires’s disease, prosecutors argued, did not stop him from carrying a knife, putting on a disguise and a pair of gloves that July day and walking through the Metro station looking for victims to possibly rob.

— keith l. alexander, Washington Post, "Man sentenced to 35 years in fatal stabbing aboard Metro train," 9 Feb. 2018

Origin and Etymology of disguise

see ¹disguise

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

disguise Synonyms

Synonyms

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

Near Antonyms

bluntness, candidness, candor, directness, forthrightness, frankness, openheartedness, outspokenness, plainspokenness, straightforwardness;

artlessness, genuineness, naïveté (also naivete);

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;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

DISGUISE Defined for English Language Learners

disguise

verb

Definition of disguise for English Language Learners

: to change the usual appearance, sound, taste, etc., of (someone or something) so that people will not recognize that person or thing
: to hide (something) so that it will not be seen or noticed