disguise

disguise — verb

1. to change the way someone or something looks, so that other people cannot recogn

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to change the way someone or something looks, so that other people cannot recognize who or what it really is

Example

Caleb disguised himself as a security guard to get past the front desk.

disguise + reflexive + as + role

The spy disguised her voice on the phone so that no one would know who was calling.

Common collocations
  • disguise oneself as
  • disguise one's voice
  • disguise one's face
  • thinly disguised
  • cleverly disguised
Synonyms
  • camouflage

    focuses on making something blend into the surroundings; used especially for military or animal contexts

  • conceal

    broader meaning of hiding; does not necessarily involve changing appearance

  • mask

    implies hiding something behind a covering, often a face or expression

Antonyms
  • reveal

    to show the true appearance

Grammar Patterns

disguise + object + as + [noun]

disguise + object + with + [noun]

disguise + [reflexive pronoun]

Usage Note

The object of disguise can be a person, a body part, or an object. When specifying the new appearance, use 'as' + role. When specifying the materials, use 'with' or 'by'.

Common Mistakes

She disguised to a nurse.
She disguised herself as a nurse.
'disguise' needs a direct object (often a reflexive pronoun) plus 'as' to specify the assumed role.
He disguised his car as a different color.
He disguised his car with a fresh coat of paint.
use 'with' for the means of disguise, not 'as'; 'as' is for the false identity.

2. to keep your true thoughts, emotions, or intentions hidden from other people by

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to keep your true thoughts, emotions, or intentions hidden from other people by acting in a way that suggests something different

Example

Eshe disguised her disappointment with a bright smile when she did not get the job.

disguise + [emotion] + with + [expression]

Nikos tried to disguise his nervousness by telling a joke before his speech.

Common collocations
  • disguise one's feelings
  • disguise the truth
  • disguise one's intentions
  • barely disguised
  • thinly disguised
Synonyms
  • hide

    more general and less deliberate; 'disguise' implies active, intentional deception

  • conceal

    slightly more formal; can be used for both physical and abstract hiding

  • mask

    suggests covering a feeling with a different outward display, often facial

Antonyms
  • reveal

    to show one's true feelings or intentions

  • express

    to communicate feelings openly

Grammar Patterns

disguise + [emotion/opinion] + with + [expression]

disguise + [emotion/opinion] + by + [action]

Usage Note

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not involve changing physical appearance. The object is always an abstract thing: a feeling, opinion, intention, or fact. Frequently used with 'with' (the false expression) or 'by' (the false action).

Common Mistakes

She disguised her crying.' (too vague)
She disguised her sadness with a cheerful greeting.
the sentence should make clear both what is hidden and how it is hidden.

disguise — noun

Word family

  • disguised
    adjectiveB2
  • disguising
    nounC1
  • undisguised
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve hiding something, but they differ in method and scope. Disguise means changing appearance to create a false identity — it is the most deliberate and theatrical: a spy disguises herself as a waiter. Camouflage is about blending into the environment using patterns or colors, common in military and animal contexts: soldiers camouflage a tank with netting and foliage. Conceal is broader and less visual: you can conceal a weapon in your pocket or conceal your surprise. Mask focuses on covering a surface or expression, often with something applied on top: she masked her fear with a calm face. In everyday use, disguise and mask often overlap when feelings are hidden, but disguise is stronger when a whole identity is faked.

disguise ↗camouflageconceal ↗mask ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'disguise' entered English through Old French 'desguisier', formed from 'des-' (meaning away or off) and 'guise' (meaning style, appearance, or manner). In medieval times, 'guise' referred to one's customary way of dressing, so to 'disguise' meant to put aside your usual clothes and adopt a different look. The sense of hiding feelings or intentions developed later, around the 1500s, as the word broadened from physical disguise to any kind of deception.