guise

noun \ ˈgīz \

Definition of guise

1 :a form or style of dress :costume

attended the masquerade in the guise of a court jester

2 a obsolete :manner, fashion

b archaic :a customary way of speaking or behaving

3 a :external appearance :semblance

The android is a machine in human guise.

b :pretext

swindles people under the guise of friendship

See guise defined for English-language learners

See guise defined for kids

Examples of guise in a Sentence

my new neighbor began seeking my company under the guise of friendship, but he turned out to be a member of a religious cult bent on conversion
she felt as though she should be wearing some sort of Germanic guise, complete with dirndl, for the fall festival featuring traditional German food and drink

Recent Examples of guise from the Web

But under the guise of fighting terrorism, security forces are also cracking down on moderate Islamists and secular opponents, as well as independent media.

— Washington Post, "Since Trump’s Mideast visit, extrajudicial killings have spiked in Egypt," 30 Aug. 2017
This commenter is far from the only troll to body-shame someone under the guise of concern for health.

— suzannah weiss, Glamour, "Trainer Claps Back at Troll Who Called Her Cellulite 'Unhealthy'," 11 Aug. 2017
Webb, who also has acted with Hole in the Wall Theater in New Britain, does Living History Tours at the Twain House in the guise of McAleer, and special events as Twain.

— susan dunne, courant.com, "Wethersfield Twain Impersonator Stars In ESPN Film 'Jump'," 10 Aug. 2017
Speaking of which, the Wolf campaign (under the guise of the state party) is working a drip-drip effort against possible GOP opponent Paul Mango.

— john baer, Philly.com, "Oh, you silly Pa. pols," 9 Aug. 2017
Muslim religious leaders allege Israel is trying to expand its control at the site, revered by Muslims and Jews, by installing metal detectors under the guise of security, a claim Israel denies.

— Bloomberg.com, "The Latest: Israel Begins Removing Metal Detectors From Site," 24 July 2017
As a portrait of a psychopath in the guise of dutiful wife, 1945’s Leave Her to Heaven has more punch.

— charles taylor, MSNBC Newsweek, "Cannes' Favorite 'Lady Macbeth' Isn't Daring, but It Might Be Racist," 17 July 2017
A police affidavit says DiNardo lured each of the victims to his family's 90-acre Solebury Township farm under the guise of marijuana deals.

— baltimoresun.com, "Cousins' lives escalated from petty crimes to alleged murder," 15 July 2017
A police affidavit confirmed the source's story -- DiNardo lured each of the victims to his family's 90-acre Solebury Township farm under the guise of marijuana deals.

— CBS News, "Cousins accused of killing 4 Pennsylvania men escalated from petty crimes," 15 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.