Disguise Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms disguise American [dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz] / dɪsˈgaɪz, dɪˈskaɪz /

verb (used with object)

disguised, disguising

1. to change the appearance or guise of so as to conceal identity or mislead, as by means of deceptive garb.

   The king was disguised as a peasant.

2. to conceal or cover up the truth or actual character of by a counterfeit form or appearance; misrepresent.

   to disguise one's intentions.

   Synonyms: dissemble, hide, mask, cloak

noun

1. that which disguises; something that serves or is intended for concealment of identity, character, or quality; a deceptive covering, condition, manner, etc..

   Noble words can be the disguise of base intentions.

2. the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer.

   a clown's disguise.

3. the act of disguising.

   to speak without disguise.

4. the state of being disguised; masquerade.

   The gods appeared in disguise.

disguise British / dɪsˈɡaɪzɪdlɪ, dɪsˈɡaɪz /

verb

1. to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)

2. (tr) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaning

   to disguise the facts

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

1. a mask, costume, or manner that disguises

2. the act of disguising or the state of being disguised

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 disguise Idioms

1. see blessing in disguise.

Other Word Forms

• disguisable adjective
• disguised adjective
• disguisedly adverb
• disguisedness noun
• disguisement noun
• disguiser noun
• nondisguised adjective
• predisguise noun
• undisguisable adjective
• undisguised adjective
• undisguisedly adverb
• well-disguised adjective

Etymology

Origin of disguise

1275–1325; Middle English disg ( u ) isen < Anglo-French, Old French de ( s ) guiser, equivalent to des- dis- 1 + -guiser, derivative of guise guise

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Riley said he thought Hines’ absence could actually be “a blessing in disguise” for the rest of the room.

From Los Angeles Times

"All doors are closed," said one of the women, who were drawn from across the country and whose identities AFP has disguised for security reasons.

From Barron's

“If you look closely, you can see that his jacket is dry, not wet. He was disguised to look like he was injured in the battle, but blood dries brown, not bright red.”

From Literature

A chipper melodicist who never attempted to disguise his sentimental streak, Sedaka emerged at the moment rock ’n’ roll’s initial big bang started to fizzle.

From Los Angeles Times

But Elisha’s letters also contained condescension disguised as compliment: “You have more brain than I gave you credit for,” or, “I had no idea you wrote or thought so well.”

From Literature

Related Words

• alter
• belie
• camouflage
• cloak
• conceal
• deceive
• dress up
• gloss over
• hide
• mask
• misrepresent
• obscure

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.