guise

noun

ˈgīz 

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

c

: a variation on something

the same basic recipe in a different guise

Synonyms of guise

• pretense
• facade
• show
• act
• pose

Examples of guise in a Sentence

he sneaked into the castle to rescue Ivanhoe in the guise of a priest coming to give Ivanhoe his last rites

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 on the Web

Footballing success, in differing guises, came a long time ago. — Adam Leventhal, New York Times, 10 June 2026

In a post on X, Bugti said that those who target state officials under the guise of peaceful protest would not escape accountability. — ABC News, 22 June 2026

After examining her injury, Brito began to caress and massage Patient 1’s foot under the guise of providing care. — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 28 June 2026

The business owners argue that they’ve been denied leases in Westport for racially discriminatory reasons under the guise of improving public safety. — Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gise, guise, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wīsa manner — more at wise

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guise

• in the guise of
• under the guise of

Rhymes for guise

• ais
• ayes
• buys
• cries
• dies
• dries
• dyes
• eyes
• flies
• fries
• grise
• guys

Kids Definition

guise

noun

ˈgīz 

1

: a form or style of dress : costume

in the guise of a shepherd

2

: outer or disguised appearance : semblance

swindled people under the guise of friendship

Biographical Definition

Guise 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈgēz 

also ˈgwēz

2nd Duc de 1519–1563 François de Lorraine French soldier and politician

Guise

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

3rd Duc de 1550–1588 Henri I de Lorraine French soldier and politician