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 \ də-ˈskīz(-ə)d-lē

, dis-ˈgīz(-ə)d- also diz- \ adverb

disguisement \ də-ˈskīz-mənt

, dis-ˈgīz- also diz- \ 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

Actually, what’s really interesting about this is the fact that this is only the latest in a long legacy of food commercials disguised as games. — Soleil Ho, SFChronicle.com, "Is America ready for a Colonel Sanders computer game?," 16 Sep. 2019 Two interstellar agents try to stop an alien disguised as a lingerie model from destroying the world. — Los Angeles Times, "Movies on TV this week Sept. 15, 2019: ‘Alien,’ ‘Aliens’ and more," 13 Sep. 2019 The talks were disguised as part of a bigger meeting of Afghan groups. — The Economist, "Politics this week," 13 July 2019 Their discrimination is wrapped in piety; their disdain for women is disguised as honor for wives. — Monica Hesse, Washington Post, "The ‘Billy Graham Rule’ doesn’t honor your wife. It demeans her — and all women.," 11 July 2019 For starters, Aladdin is disguised as a prince, not the other way around. — Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "20 Insane Disney Movie Fan Theories That Will Blow. Your. Mind.," 16 Apr. 2019 Some are disguised as flower beds, public benches and bicycle stands. — Joanna Sugden, WSJ, "Car Crashes Outside U.K. Parliament in Suspected Terror Attack," 14 Aug. 2018 These, of course, are cleverly disguised as old white people heading for the outlet malls, but that’s obviously part of the plan. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "The Battle for Voting Rights Is Never Over," 6 Mar. 2018 The scams are usually disguised in realistic-looking emails that encourage the recipient to click on a link or attachment; that click downloads malicious software known as malware that can capture information and send it back to the criminal. — Joyce M. Rosenberg, Houston Chronicle, "Cybercriminals manipulate their way into company computers," 6 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

So is climate change kind of a blessing in disguise that way? — Rachel Manteuffel, Washington Post, "‘We want everybody’s attention on this’: A new exhibit on climate change aims to hit home.," 17 Sep. 2019 Middle linebacker Cory Littleton described him as a master of disguise. — Los Angeles Times, "Rams’ Eric Weddle has an ice cream clause in his contract," 4 Sep. 2019 The song, from the soundtrack to the film Gigi, is apt: Hollywood has a long history of insisting that teenage girls are simply women in a kind of disguise. — Megan Garber, The Atlantic, "The Myth of the ‘Underage Woman’," 15 Aug. 2019 Real-life spies such as Jonna Mendez, a former chief of disguise at the CIA, will also give TED-style talks. — Washington Post, "17 things to do in the D.C. area this weekend," 8 Aug. 2019 The twenty-four-year-old photographer’s ornate, protean wardrobe provides a kind of disguise. — Eren Orbey, The New Yorker, "A Photographer’s Elaborate Transformations in His Childhood Bedroom," 18 July 2019 The cuttlefish, for example, is a master of disguise. — Quanta Magazine, "How to Grow a New Model Organism," 27 July 2016 The sale is pretty straightforward: prices on products are reduced during the sale and regular prices are restored on August 5 — these aren’t clearance items in disguise, and the deals won’t get extended. — Simona Matovic, oregonlive, "Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is happening | Here’s what’s actually worth your money," 19 July 2019 What should be the best day of their lives turns into a head-spinning series of disguises, dupes, desire and disorder. — Luann Gibbs, Cincinnati.com, "Things to do in Cincinnati this week: June 10-16," 9 June 2019

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.