disguise

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

|Updated on: 5 Aug 2018

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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

—

disguisedly

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

—

disguisement

play \-ˈgīz-mənt, -ˈkīz-\ noun

—

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

Prosecutors said Rowland was paid $35,000 for political consulting for Wilson-Foley, but the payment was disguised in a contract between Rowland and Wilson-Foley’s husband, who owned a nursing home chain, over concerns about negative publicity.

— Washington Post, "In new job, disgraced governor helps fellow ex-cons," 17 June 2018
Those were relevant ideas, even if they were disguised as dinosaur films.

— jen yamato, latimes.com, "How 'Jurassic World' used the DNA of a beloved franchise to build a bold new universe," 15 June 2018
According to court records, the Federal Bureau of Prisons intercepted a package of the cannabinoid Adb-Fubinaca that was disguised as legal mail and sent to prison inmates in April of last year.

— jay weaver, miamiherald, "Inmates liked being served these legal papers. They were soaked with synthetic pot.," 31 May 2018
The show points out how the familiar can be disguised as the new, and that the advances of the technological future might only cinch us tighter in our loops of nostalgia and narcissism (as if that’s not already happening today).

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Westworld: A Cut Above," 20 May 2018
The tips of the plumes extend beyond the hem of the cape itself, and the openings for my hands in the front are disguised within the curves of the feathers, another subtle touch that can only be achieved in the real haute couture.

— hamish bowles, Vogue, "The Story Behind Hamish Bowles’s One-of-Kind Met Gala Look from Valentino Haute Couture," 8 May 2018
One of the commandos who came after him was disguised as a woman on a romantic vacation, and one of the weapons was hidden in a box of chocolates.

— aron heller, Fox News, "Israel's Mossad spy agency shrouded in mystery and mystique," 1 May 2018
Manley says the explosives were disguised as packages left overnight near the victims' front doors.

— CBS News, "Austin package bomb victim's neighbor describes finding him after deadly blast," 13 Mar. 2018
The court noted that the legislator responsible for drawing the map had not disguised his intentions.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "Nobody Knows How to Play This Game Anymore," 19 Jan. 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

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
For fall, Dolce & Gabbana journeyed to the land of fairy tales, where woodland creatures assist princesses in disguise and maidens are the heroes of their own stories.

— julie kosin, Harper's BAZAAR, "Pat McGrath's Enchanting Makeup at Dolce & Gabbana," 24 Feb. 2014
Obscuring the face with clothing or accessories is possible, but only temporarily—and even then, a disguise could just provide another means for positive identification in surveillance footage.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "What the Capital Gazette Shooting Reveals About Face Recognition," 29 June 2018
In other words, this study is just concern-trolling in disguise.

— refinery29.com, "FYI, Body Positivity Is Not "Dangerous" Or Bad For Your Health," 27 June 2018
The new team executive sneaked into the Mariners’ dugout in disguise yesterday, clad in a bushy fake mustache, shades and a hoodie.

— morning brief, The Seattle Times, "The state’s first wildlife-detection dog, plus Seattle’s sports power couple | Friday Morning Brief, June 22," 22 June 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

disguise

noun

Definition of disguise for English Language Learners

: clothes or other things that you wear so that people will not recognize you
: the act of changing your appearance so that people will not recognize you

DISGUISE Defined for Kids

disguise

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

Definition of disguise for Students

disguised; disguising

1 : to change the looks or sound of to avoid being recognized

He disguised his voice on the phone.

2 : to keep from revealing

She disguised her true feelings.

disguise

noun

Definition of disguise for Students

1 : clothing worn to avoid being recognized

2 : an outward appearance that hides what something really is

a blessing in disguise

Learn More about disguise

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disguise

Definition of disguise

disguisedly

disguisement

disguiser

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disguise from the Web

Origin and Etymology of disguise

disguise Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Synonym Discussion of disguise

disguise

Definition of disguise

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Recent Examples of disguise from the Web

Origin and Etymology of disguise

disguise Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Clothing Terms

Phrases Related to DISGUISE

Related Phrases

DISGUISE Defined for English Language Learners

disguise

Definition of disguise for English Language Learners

disguise

Definition of disguise for English Language Learners

DISGUISE Defined for Kids

disguise

Definition of disguise for Students

disguise

Definition of disguise for Students

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