disguise
gb/dɪsɡˈaɪz/ us/dɪsɡˈaɪz/
A2
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Change appearance to hide identity
To make yourself look different so people do not know who you are.
Usage pattern:
to disguise [someone/something] as [someone/something else]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'disguise' with 'costume', but 'disguise' focuses on hiding identity, while 'costume' can be for fun or performance.
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.)
Collocations
disguise oneself
|disguise voice
|cleverly disguise
|disguise as
|disguise identity
Themes
crime
|security
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The spy disguised himself as a waiter to get into the party.
- She disguised her voice on the phone so no one would recognize her.
- He disguised the package to look like a gift.
Learner examples
- He disguised himself as a police officer.
- She disguised her face with glasses and a hat.
- The thief disguised his voice on the call.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Clothing or appearance hiding identity
Clothes or things you wear or do to look different so people do not know who you are.
Usage pattern:
wear a disguise
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'disguise' with 'mask', but a disguise can include full clothing, makeup, and behavior, not just the face covering.
Synonyms
costume (General term for special clothing; not always for hiding identity.)
Antonyms
uniform (Clothing that openly shows someone's role or identity.)
Collocations
wear a disguise
|perfect disguise
|convincing disguise
|in disguise
|don a disguise
Themes
crime
|security
|entertainment
|clothing
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The robber wore a disguise to avoid being caught on camera.
- Her disguise fooled everyone at the party.
- The journalist went in disguise to investigate the factory.
Learner examples
- He wore a disguise to hide from the police.
- Her disguise was very good.
- The man in disguise walked past us.
Verb
B2
action
3
Hide true feelings or motives
To hide your real feelings or plans from other people.
Usage pattern:
to disguise [one's] [emotion/intentions]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with lying; 'disguise' here is about hiding emotions, not making false statements directly.
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.)
Collocations
disguise anger
|disguise disappointment
|disguise excitement
Themes
emotions
|social
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She tried to disguise her disappointment when she heard the news.
- He disguised his nervousness with a big smile.
- They disguised their true intentions behind polite conversation.
Learner examples
- She disguised her anger with a smile.
- He disguised his fear so no one knew.
- I disguised my surprise when I saw him.
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.