Disguise

Meaning

Material (such as clothing, makeup, a wig) used to alter one’s visual appearance in order to hide one's identity or assume another..

Definitions by Sense

1. Material (such as clothing, makeup, a wig) used to alter one’s visual appearance in order to hide one's identity or assume another.
2. (figuratively) The appearance of something on the outside which masks what’s beneath.
3. The act or state of disguising, notably as a ploy.
4. (archaic) A change of behaviour resulting from intoxication, drunkenness.
5. (transitive) To change the appearance of (a person or thing) so as to hide, or to assume an identity.
6. (transitive, obsolete) To transform or disfigure, to change the appearance of in general.
7. (transitive) To avoid giving away or revealing (something secret); to hide by a false appearance.
8. (transitive, obsolete) To dress in newfangled or showy clothing, to deck out in new fashions.

Example Sentences

A cape and moustache completed his disguise.

hiding one's treacherous intentions under the guise of friendship

old ideas in a new guise

Any disguise may expose soldiers to be deemed enemy spies.

Spies often disguise themselves.

Bunyan was forced to disguise himself as a wagoner.

The official Central News agency said a Nationalist patrol boat Dec. 28 captured six Communist spies disguised as fishermen as they approached within 1,000 yards of the Paichuan in a motorized fishing craft. They were taken to Matsu for questioning.

He disguised his true intentions.

Word Forms

• disguises
• disguising
• disguised

Synonyms for disguise

Related Words

When Should You Use Disguise?

Use disguise when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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