Word
disguise
Phoneticsdis·guise, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪsˈɡaɪz/
UK/dɪsɡˈaɪz/
Definitions
01to hide identity
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to change your appearance so that people do not know who you are.
v. to alter the appearance of a person or object to prevent recognition or to assume a different identity.
“The spy disguised himself as a waiter to get into the private party.”
“The undercover operative disguised her voice and appearance so effectively that even her closest colleagues failed to identify her during the exercise.”
Synonyms
02to hide feelings or facts
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to hide a feeling, a fact, or a bad situation so that people don't notice it.
v. to conceal the true nature, quality, or existence of something by providing a false appearance or impression.
“She tried to disguise her disappointment with a forced smile.”
“The company attempted to disguise its falling profits by highlighting minor successes in its annual report to shareholders.”
Synonyms
03costume or makeup
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. things like clothes, hair, or makeup that you wear to hide who you are.
n. the materials, such as apparel or cosmetics, used to alter one's appearance for the purpose of concealment.
“He wore a wig and glasses as a disguise so no one would recognize him.”
“The thief's disguise was so convincing that security guards allowed him access to the restricted area without a second glance.”
Synonyms
04a false appearance
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. the way something looks on the outside that hides what it really is.
n. a deceptive outward appearance that masks the true nature of a situation or object.
“The new law was just a disguise for a tax increase.”
“The charitable foundation served as a thin disguise for the billionaire's political lobbying efforts.”
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“As handsome as they may seem, he had said, they may be dolphins in disguise.” “What if, in a lost version of the text, this interloper is Odysseus in disguise?” Etymology
From Middle English disgisen, disguisen, borrowed from Old French desguiser (modern French déguiser), itself derived from des- (“dis-”) (from Latin dis-) + guise (“guise”) (from a Germanic source).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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