disguise
gb/dɪsɡˈaɪz/ us/dɪsɡˈaɪz/
A2
English
~ 4700
álcázza magát, elváltoztat, álca, álruha, leplez, titkol
VERB
B1
1
elváltoztat
B2
Usage pattern:
to disguise [someone/something] as [someone/something else]
The spy disguised himself as a waiter to get into the party.
A kém pincérnek álcázta magát, hogy bejusson a partira.
She disguised her voice on the phone so no one would recognize her.
Elváltoztatta a hangját a telefonban, hogy senki se ismerje fel.
He disguised the package to look like a gift.
Learner examples
He disguised himself as a police officer.
Rendőrnek álcázta magát.
She disguised her face with glasses and a hat.
Szemüveggel és kalappal álcázta az arcát.
The thief disguised his voice on the call.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disguise' with 'costume', but 'disguise' focuses on hiding identity, while 'costume' can be for fun or performance.
Meaning
Change appearance to hide identity
Collocations
disguise oneself
|disguise voice
|cleverly disguise
|disguise as
|disguise identity
Synonyms
mask (Focuses on covering the face physically, often literally.)
|
camouflage (Emphasizes blending into surroundings, often in military or nature contexts.)
Antonyms
reveal (To make something known or visible instead of hiding it.)
|
unmask (Specifically to remove a disguise and show the true identity.)
Themes
crime
|security
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make yourself look different so people do not know who you are.
To alter one's appearance or manner in order to conceal identity or avoid recognition.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
wear a disguise
The robber wore a disguise to avoid being caught on camera.
A rabló álcát viselt, hogy ne lehessen felismerni a kamerafelvételen.
Her disguise fooled everyone at the party.
Az álcája mindenkit megtévesztett a partin.
The journalist went in disguise to investigate the factory.
Learner examples
He wore a disguise to hide from the police.
Álruhát viselt, hogy elrejtőzzön a rendőrség elől.
Her disguise was very good.
Nagyon jó volt az álcája.
The man in disguise walked past us.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'disguise' with 'mask', but a disguise can include full clothing, makeup, and behavior, not just the face covering.
Meaning
Clothing or appearance hiding identity
Collocations
wear a disguise
|perfect disguise
|convincing disguise
|in disguise
|don a disguise
Synonyms
costume (General term for special clothing; not always for hiding identity.)
Antonyms
uniform (Clothing that openly shows someone's role or identity.)
Themes
crime
|security
|entertainment
|clothing
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Clothes or things you wear or do to look different so people do not know who you are.
Clothing, makeup, or other changes in appearance used to hide someone's identity.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to disguise [one's] [emotion/intentions]
She tried to disguise her disappointment when she heard the news.
Próbálta leplezni a csalódottságát, amikor meghallotta a hírt.
He disguised his nervousness with a big smile.
Széles mosollyal leplezte az idegességét.
They disguised their true intentions behind polite conversation.
Learner examples
She disguised her anger with a smile.
Mosollyal leplezte a haragját.
He disguised his fear so no one knew.
Leplezte a félelmét, így senki sem vette észre.
I disguised my surprise when I saw him.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with lying; 'disguise' here is about hiding emotions, not making false statements directly.
Meaning
Hide true feelings or motives
Collocations
disguise anger
|disguise disappointment
|disguise excitement
Synonyms
conceal (General term for keeping something hidden from others.)
|
mask (Suggests covering up emotions so they are not visible.)
Antonyms
express (To openly show feelings or thoughts.)
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To hide your real feelings or plans from other people.
To prevent others from noticing one's real feelings, thoughts, or intentions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disguise
IPA
GB/dɪsɡˈaɪz/
US/dɪsɡˈaɪz/
Syllables & stress
dis - guise (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (guise)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disguise
- Plural: disguise, disguises
Verb
- Base: disguise
- 3rd Person Singular: disguises
- Present Participle: disguising
- Past: disguised
Word family
Forms
disguises
noun
disguising
verb
disguised
verb
Negative and opposite forms
undisguised
adjective
Expressions
in disguise
1/ˈɪn dɪsɡˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
Having hidden identity or nature
Looking like something else so people do not know who or what you really are.
Examples
- The detective was actually a criminal in disguise.
- Sometimes problems are opportunities in disguise.
a blessing in disguise
1/ə blˈɛsɪŋ ˈɪn dɪsɡˈaɪz/
idiom
Something good hidden in something bad
Something that seems bad at first but later turns out to be good.
Examples
- Losing that job was a blessing in disguise—it pushed me to start my own business.
- Missing the train was a blessing in disguise because I met an old friend while waiting.
- Her injury turned out to be a blessing in disguise because she met her future partner during recovery.