disguise

Clothes or other things you wear so people cannot recognize you.

• She wore a disguise to escape.
• His wig was part of the disguise.
• Would anyone recognize me in this disguise?

How to use it: disguise as someone/something (His disguise as a waiter fooled everyone.)

Similar words: costume

Common phrases: wear a disguise, clever disguise, disguise as something

The act of changing your appearance to prevent people from recognizing you.

• The spy relied on disguise and deception.
• She travelled in disguise to avoid attention.
• Their use of disguise made the escape possible.

How to use it: in disguise (The officer entered the building in disguise.)

Similar words: concealment, camouflage

Common phrases: in disguise, use of disguise, disguise and deception

An outside appearance that hides the true nature of something.

• His kindness was a disguise for cruelty.
• The cheerful design was a thin disguise for an ordinary product.
• They offered control under the disguise of protection.

How to use it: under the disguise of something (The threat came under the disguise of friendly advice.)

Similar words: cover, facade

Common phrases: under a disguise, disguise of something, thin disguise

To hide a feeling, fact, or intention by making it seem different.

• She could not disguise her disappointment.
• He disguised his anger with a smile.
• The company tried to disguise its losses.

How to use it: disguise something as something (He disguised his criticism as a joke.)

Similar words: hide, conceal, mask

Opposites: reveal

Common phrases: disguise something as something, disguise your feelings, disguise the truth

To change how someone or something looks so people cannot recognize them.

• He disguised himself with a hat.
• They disguised the entrance as a cupboard.
• Can you disguise your voice?

How to use it: disguise someone/something as someone/something (They disguised the camera as a clock.)

Similar words: camouflage

Common phrases: disguise yourself, disguise someone as something, disguise a voice