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

The indictment accused the former president of lying on financial documents by fraudulently disguising hush money payments as legal expenses in violation of state law. —Kyler Alvord, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024

Some guns were found hidden in wooden pallets disguised as humanitarian aid. —Guad Venegas, NBC News, 2 Apr. 2024

But smugglers do not disguise their contraband just in produce. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2024

Meanwhile, Thelma Schoonmaker’s rapid-fire editing has never been stronger, keeping every sequence lively to disguise the three-hour runtime. —Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024

The students began searching and found additional cameras, including one disguised as a clock. —The Arizona Republic, 26 Mar. 2024

The site disguised itself as a small business that manufacturers scented candles, a tactic Shapiro says is increasingly common. —Louise Matsakis, WIRED, 10 Mar. 2024

But that’s likely an underestimate, researchers say, because some may disguise their suicides as accidents. —Sophia Liang, The Courier-Journal, 27 Feb. 2024

The answers — focused more on issues of fit, comfort and disguising signs of age — had discouraged them. —Lyn Slater, CNN, 12 Mar. 2024

Noun

Although the show is about a group of girls, it is designed for adults and teens, who will solve mysteries around campus with the help of magnifying glasses, measuring devices, compasses, disguises and bubble gum. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024

The agency provided secure communications gear, eavesdropping equipment that allowed Ukraine to intercept Russian phone calls and emails, and even furnished disguises and separatist uniforms enabling operatives to more easily slip into occupied towns. —Isabelle Khurshudyan, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2023

Bush curiously glanced to her side, perhaps looking for a briefcase holding the new disguise. —Dawn Klavon, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2024

And what a cornucopia of strange items are on offer: night vision sunglasses; an endoscopic camera light; a big toe straightener; and bionic leaf disguise uniform. —Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024

Alan Tudyk is simply outstanding in this wonderful comedy about an alien who comes to destroy the planet, takes on a human disguise and then . . . —Erik Kain, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Is that third Hemsworth brother wearing a disguise in the deep background of one shot? —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 Feb. 2024

There ain’t going to be no tricks or disguises, any of that kind of stuff. —Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2024

My intentions are the reverse: to remove disguises, not manufacture them. —Truman Capote, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2024

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

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