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

Across the dial, opinions differed, but the tone was the same: vitriol disguised as debate. —Sabrina L. Schaeffer, National Review, 7 June 2025

The cost of potential repairs is a concern D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has gone out of her way to stay on the good side of President Trump, has not disguised her discomfort at the prospect of armored vehicles chewing up the downtown asphalt. —Ashraf Khalil, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2025

Noun

He’s heard the sale rumors but somehow isn’t perceptive enough to see through the semi-ambulatory Griffin’s disguise. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 21 May 2025

Entamoeba histolytica has the unusual ability to kill human cells and then wear them as a disguise to escape the immune defenses. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 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