disguise

UK: /dɪsˈgaɪz/

US: /dɪsˈgaɪz, dɪˈskaɪz/

US: (dis gīz′, di skīz′)

Inflections of 'disguise' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

disguises

v 3rd person singular

disguising

v pres p

disguised

v past

disguised

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•guise /dɪsˈgaɪz, dɪˈskaɪz/   v., -guised, -guis•ing, n. 
v. 

1. to change the appearance of so as to mislead:
   [~ + object + as + object] The army disguised the soldiers as ordinary villagers.
2. to conceal the truth of by a false form or appearance;
   misrepresent:
   [~ + object] to disguise his true intentions.

n. 

3. something that serves or is intended to conceal identity, character, or quality:
   [countable] Dressing as palace guards was a clever disguise.
4. the process of disguising:
   [uncountable] The jewel thief was a master of disguise.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

dis•guise  (dis gīz′, di skīz′), v., -guised, -guis•ing, n. 
v.t. 

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.

n. 

3. 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.
4. Show Business the makeup, mask, costume, or overall changed appearance of an entertainer:
   a clown's disguise.
5. the act of disguising:
   to speak without disguise.
6. the state of being disguised;
   masquerade:
   The gods appeared in disguise.

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

dis•guis′a•ble, adj. 
dis•guis′ed•ly, adv. 
dis•guis′ed•ness, n. 
dis•guis′er, n. 
dis•guise′ment, n. 
Synonyms

• 2. cloak, mask, hide, dissemble.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

disguise / dɪsˈɡaɪz/ verb

1. to modify the appearance or manner in order to conceal the identity of (oneself, someone, or something)
2. (transitive) to misrepresent in order to obscure the actual nature or meaning

noun

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

Etymology: 14th Century: from Old French desguisier, from des- dis-¹ + guise manner; see guise

disˈguised adjective