disguise

1 of 2

verb

dis·​guise də-ˈskīz How to pronounce disguise (audio)
dis-ˈgīz
also diz-
disguised; disguising
Synonyms of disguise

transitive verb

1
a
: to change the customary dress (see dress entry 2 sense 1) or appearance of
disguised herself in a wig and glasses
b
: to furnish with a false appearance or an assumed (see assume sense 3) identity
disguised as a civilian
2
obsolete : disfigure
3
: to obscure the existence or true state or character of : conceal
unable to disguise his true feelings
disguisedly
də-ˈskīz(-ə)d-lē How to pronounce disguise (audio)
dis-ˈgīz(-ə)d-
also diz-
adverb
disguisement
də-ˈskīz-mənt How to pronounce disguise (audio)
dis-ˈgīz-
also diz-
noun
disguiser noun

disguise

2 of 2

noun

1
: apparel assumed to conceal one's identity or counterfeit another's
The bank robber was wearing a disguise.
2
: the act of disguising
3
a
: form misrepresenting the true nature of something
blessings in disguise
b
: an artificial manner : pretense
threw off all disguise

Synonyms of disguise

Relevance

Verb

Noun

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
Choose the Right Synonym for disguise

disguise, cloak, mask mean to alter the dress or appearance of so as to conceal the identity or true nature.

disguise implies a change in appearance or behavior that misleads by presenting a different apparent identity.

disguised herself as a peasant

cloak suggests a means of hiding a movement or an intention.

cloaked their maneuvers in secrecy

mask suggests some often obvious means of hiding or disguising something.

smiling to mask his discontent

Examples of disguise in a Sentence

Verb He tried to disguise his voice on the phone but I could tell it was him. She disguised herself in a wig and glasses. We disguised the fact that we were disappointed. Noun He wore a disguise of glasses, a fake mustache, and a cap. The famous thief is known to be a master of disguise.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The massive 5,942-lb (2,695 kg) weight is somewhat disguised by a system that swaps traditional mechanical anti-roll bars for triple-stage adjustable air springs linked to a high-capacity central hydraulic pressure reservoir. — New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2026 But the news took a turn when employees reportedly were given a phishing test email disguised as a chance to redeem their rings. — Ryan Morik Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Noun
The episode’s action-movie finale drops the rest of the episode’s spoofy meta humor and aims at straight drama, as Butcherbird smashes through Katerina’s security detail and drops her disguise. — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026 The allegations follow a sentence of more than 10 years in federal prison in a case involving five Texas bank robberies, during which Sartin wore a similar disguise, according to a criminal complaint reviewed by Fox News Digital. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for disguise

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English disgisen, from Anglo-French desguiser, deguiser, from des- dis- + guise guise

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of disguise was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing disguise

Rhymes for disguise

See All Rhymes for disguise

Browse Nearby Words

disguisal
disguise
disguiseless
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disguise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disguise. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

disguise

1 of 2 verb
dis·​guise dis-ˈgīz How to pronounce disguise (audio)
disguised; disguising
1
: to change the dress or looks of so as to conceal identity
spies disguised as tourists
2
: to keep from showing the existence or true character of : hide
disguised their true feelings
tried to disguise her voice
disguisedly
-ˈgīz(-ə)d-lē How to pronounce disguise (audio)
adverb
disguiser noun

disguise

2 of 2 noun
1
: clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate another's
2
: an outward appearance that hides what something really is
a blessing in disguise
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All