disguise

verb

dis·guise | \ də-ˈskīz

, dis-ˈgīz also diz-\

disguised; disguising

Definition of disguise

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : 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

disguise

noun

Definition of disguise (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's The bank robber was wearing a disguise.

2 : the act of disguising

3a : form misrepresenting the true nature of something blessings in disguise

b : an artificial manner : pretense threw off all disguise

Other Words from disguise Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about disguise

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Other Words from disguise

Verb

disguisedly \ -ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē

, -ˈkīz(-ə)d- \ adverb

disguisement \ -ˈgīz-mənt

, -ˈkīz- \ noun

disguiser noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for disguise

Synonyms: Verb

camouflage, cloak, dress up, mask

Synonyms: Noun

camouflage, costume, guise

Antonyms: Verb

unmask

Choose the Right Synonym for disguise

Verb

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

There’s no disguising it: Thanks to Brexit, things are in a surreal state of angst and political grotesquery here in the British Isles. — Sarah Mower, Vogue, "The Brexit Deadline Is Looming—Here’s How It Will Affect London Fashion Week," 14 Feb. 2019 Viewers know Rose isn't above using incredibly realistic-looking costumes to disguise herself. — Maria Tallarico, Glamour, "9 Jane the Virgin Fan Theories That Will Keep You Up at Night," 11 Jan. 2019 The beginning of the school year crept up on you in the usual stealthy manner, disguised by the 109-degree temperatures. — Ginger D. Rough, USA TODAY, "Parents: Stop complaining about your kids' school supply list," 15 May 2018 But content that most interested Murray was rhetorical, allowing him to unearth ideas and undercurrents that were always there but somewhat disguised by the melodies they were attached to. — David Patrick Stearns, Philly.com, "Bill Murray's odd variety show gets a big Philly ovation," 5 Apr. 2018 Call it modern-day garage voyeurism, disguised by convenience, of course. — Kelsey Kloss, ELLE Decor, "You Can Now Find A Garage For Rent With The New Airbnb For Cars," 14 June 2016 Huffman and her husband, actor William H. Macy, allegedly disguised a $15,000 bribe as a charitable donation in order to have their daughter participate in a scam to cheat on the SAT. — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, "What Is the College Admissions Scandal? Lori Loughlin and Felicity Huffman Were Indicted," 15 Mar. 2019 The construction company would pay the bribe, and Cognizant would later reimburse the firm through disguised cost overruns on the project, located in Chennai, India, prosecutors said. — Dave Michaels, WSJ, "Two Former Cognizant Executives Charged in Bribery Probe," 15 Feb. 2019 Basically, celebrities perform on stage in super elaborate costumes, disguising their voices. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "Fans Are Dying Over This Accidental "Riverdale" and "The Masked Singer" Crossover," 17 Jan. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Proponents of either theory point towards a number of clues: that the Titanic didn't allow for a public examination before its voyage—out of fear that it would be found out by experts as Olympic in disguise, theorists claim. — David Grossman, Popular Mechanics, "The Wild Conspiracy That the Titanic Never Sank," 27 Feb. 2019 Sweidan said Cohen left the store as soon as his disguise was ruined. — Kathleen Joyce, Fox News, "Sacha Baron Cohen's controversies: From 'Borat' lawsuits to box office flops," 7 Aug. 2018 Each mission is full of myriad routes to your objective, planned or not, involving silly disguises and gadgets and truly surprising amounts of rat poison. — Julie Muncy, Ars Technica, "Hitman 2 review: Accessible stealth oozing with style," 16 Nov. 2018 The customer took off Veselenik's disguise and immediately recognized him, records say. — Cory Shaffer, cleveland.com, "Siblings accused of attempted murder in foiled plot to kill Olmsted Township bartender," 9 June 2017 Count Olaf’s disguises are also even better in season two, and include a gym coach wearing a tracksuit and turban (major Professor Quirrell of Harry Potter vibes) and a Karl Lagerfeld–type foreign auctioneer called Günther. — Michaela Bechler, Vogue, "A Series of Unfortunate Events," 29 Mar. 2018 Amber, in the classic disguise of a beret and sunglasses, has to weather the paparazzi, and the antics of a kooky (and possibly insensitively) conceived wedding planner. — Vogue, "A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding," 15 Nov. 2018 This recipe for purslane pesto is the perfect disguise to win over anyone wary of weed-eating. — Ashleigh Spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Purslane may be growing in your lawn; for better health, put it in your diet," 10 July 2018 The key is the element of surprise, hence the disguises. — CBS News, "An epic game of tag," 10 June 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.