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
• mask
• conceal
• hide
• cloak
• simulate

Noun

• costume
• mask
• camouflage
• 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

Fossil fuel interests disguise their obstruction as free-market pragmatism. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

But dark secrets and hormones become issues, thanks to their latest enemy: demons disguised as a hunky boy band. —Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 June 2025

Noun

Police said Soliman planned his attack for more than a year, and arrived in Boulder after driving from his home in Colorado Springs, stopping along the way to buy gasoline, glass bottles, a weed sprayer and flowers to provide a disguise. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 July 2025

Despite being dressed in a disguise and giving police a fake name, Elizabeth was ultimately saved by authorities and reunited with her family — while her kidnappers were taken into custody. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 8 June 2025

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

Rhymes for disguise

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

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