disguise

[ dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz ]
See synonyms for disguise on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),dis·guised, dis·guis·ing.
  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.

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.

  1. the act of disguising: to speak without disguise.

  2. the state of being disguised; masquerade: The gods appeared in disguise.

Origin of disguise

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

Other words for disguise

Other words from disguise

  • dis·guis·a·ble, adjective
  • dis·guis·ed·ly, adverb
  • dis·guis·ed·ness, noun
  • dis·guis·er, noun
  • dis·guise·ment, noun
  • non·dis·guised, adjective
  • pre·dis·guise, noun, verb (used with object), pre·dis·guised, pre·dis·guis·ing.
  • un·dis·guis·a·ble, adjective
  • un·dis·guised, adjective
  • un·dis·guis·ed·ly, adverb
  • well-dis·guised, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for disguise

disguise

/ (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

noun
  1. a mask, costume, or manner that disguises

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

Origin of disguise

1
C14: from Old French desguisier, from des- dis- 1 + guise manner; see guise

Derived forms of disguise

  • disguisable, adjective
  • disguised, adjective
  • disguisedly (dɪsˈɡaɪzɪdlɪ), adverb
  • disguiser, noun

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with disguise

disguise

see blessing in disguise.

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