disguise

[ dis-gahyz, dih-skahyz ]

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.

   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

/ 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

noun

1. a mask, costume, or manner that disguises
2. the act of disguising or the state of being disguised

Derived Forms

• disˈguisable, adjective
• disˈguiser, noun
• disguisedly, adverb
• disˈguised, adjective

Other Words From

• 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) predisguised predisguising
• undis·guisa·ble adjective
• undis·guised adjective
• undis·guised·ly adverb
• well-dis·guised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of disguise¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of disguise¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

see blessing in disguise .

Related Words

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