Camouflage - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT camouflage /ˌkæməˈflɑ(d)ʒ/ /ˈkæməflɑʒ/ IPA guide

Other forms: camouflaged; camouflaging; camouflages

To camouflage is to disguise, and a camouflage is that which disguises — like the leaf-colored and patterned uniforms worn by soldiers who want to blend in with their natural surroundings.

Camouflage evolved from the French camoufler, which was slang for “to disguise.” Camoufler itself most likely comes from camouflet, meaning “puff of smoke” — a puff of smoke that makes it hard to see things. Camouflaged clothing certainly hides hunters from their prey, but the word can also be used in a more figurative sense, as in camouflaging criticism by veiling it as a backhanded compliment.

Definitions of camouflage

noun an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something synonyms: disguise see moresee less type of: color, colour, gloss, semblance, veneer an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading
noun the act of concealing the identity of something by modifying its appearance synonyms: disguise see moresee less type of: concealing, concealment, hiding the activity of keeping something secret
noun device or stratagem for concealment or deceit see moresee less type of: concealment, cover, covert, screen a covering that serves to conceal or shelter something
noun fabric dyed with splotches of green and brown and black and tan; intended to make the wearer of a garment made of this fabric hard to distinguish from the background synonyms: camo see moresee less type of: cloth, fabric, material, textile artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
verb disguise by camouflaging; exploit the natural surroundings to disguise something “The troops camouflaged themselves before they went into enemy territory” see moresee less type of: disguise, mask make unrecognizable

Pronunciation US /ˌkæməˈflɑ(d)ʒ/ UK /ˈkæməflɑʒ/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Vocabulary lists containing camouflage

Commonly Misspelled Words, List 1

"I before E except after C." It's weird how often spelling rules like that don't work in English! Instead of spending countless hours learning a ton of spelling rules and hundreds of exceptions, choose the Spelling Bee activity to brush up on these commonly misspelled English words. It's an ingenious way for you to become a spelling genius! Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5, List 6

Life Science: Ecosystems Ecology - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems - Introductory

If you can't camouflage your enthusiasm for ecology, you'll want to learn this list about interdependent relationships in ecosystems. Review food chains and food webs, competition and cooperation, symbiosis and parasitism, and much more. This vocabulary list is a great resource!

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