disguise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disguise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of concealing one's identity or true nature, often for the purpose of deception or protection. Example: "She wore a mask to disguise her identity during the masquerade ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Opinion

Tech

Film

Politics

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was a master of disguise who loved tweaking the nose of the police.

The Guardian

Of course this battle doesn't disguise generalised decline (7% year-on-year) across print sales.

The Guardian

At HangarBicocca, Double Bind has been recreated without having to disguise intrusive elements of the building's architecture or signage, or find ways of getting around tedious health and safety regulations.

The Guardian - Arts

I'm not exactly proud of these things, but there they are: my poshness is stamped on my forehead, which I pretty much rhyme with torrid, and so it's always seemed pointless to try to disguise it.

The Guardian - Opinion

"No, it was not done to disguise [Tim Koelma's] hand in this – he says he sent it on to Eric because his printer had run out of toner," Watson said.

The Guardian

"The message in the dressing room after was that it might be a blessing in disguise and keep us grounded going into the final five games.

The Guardian - Sport

Twitter's activity is to disguise the surveillance of the resulting reading from everybody.

The Guardian - Tech

Australia says Japan's claim that its whaling is purely for scientific purposes is a disguise for commercial whaling banned under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, to which Japan is a signatory.

The Guardian

The irony of an innocent man having to undertake a process of disguise that is generally required only of notorious released convicts is one of many smart moments in the script.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The shadow chancellor accused Osborne of resorting to smoke and mirrors to disguise the fact that he will be borrowing £198bn more than originally planned and will not achieve his original goal of a balanced structural current budget until 2018-19.

The Guardian

It was Middlesbrough's heaviest defeat of the season – a fact that Aitor Karanka, their head coach, did not attempt to disguise.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disguise", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about physical appearance, intentions, or something else? Choose synonyms accordingly for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "disguise" excessively in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise terms like "conceal", "mask", or "misrepresent" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The word "disguise" functions primarily as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to something that conceals or alters appearance. As a verb, it means to conceal or alter the appearance of something. Ludwig AI's analysis of real-world examples confirms this dual functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

10%

Arts

8%

Less common in

Opinion

7%

Tech

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disguise" is a versatile term used to describe the act of concealing or altering appearance or intentions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across various contexts, including news, sports, and the arts. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the context and choose synonyms like "conceal" or "mask" when greater precision is needed. By understanding its nuances and potential for overuse, you can effectively incorporate "disguise" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mask

Emphasizes covering or obscuring something, often with a superficial layer.

conceal

Focuses on hiding something, often an object or fact, rather than altering appearance.

cloak

Suggests covering something to keep it secret or hidden, often with a metaphorical layer.

dissemble

Focuses on hiding one's true feelings or intentions through deceptive behavior.

cover up

Implies an attempt to hide a mistake or wrongdoing.

camouflage

Specifically refers to blending in with the environment to avoid detection.

veil

Suggests a subtle or partial hiding, often of something delicate or sensitive.

fake

To give a deceptive appearance of being.

misrepresent

To give a false idea or impression.

belie

To show something to be false or wrong.

FAQs

How to use "disguise" in a sentence?

You can use "disguise" to describe changing appearance to hide identity, such as "He used a beard as a disguise" or to conceal intentions, like "They tried to disguise their true motives".

What can I say instead of "disguise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "conceal", "mask", or "hide" to express similar ideas.

Which is correct, "disguise" or "undisguise"?

"Disguise" is the correct term for concealing or altering appearance. "Undisguise" is not a standard English word; use "reveal" or "unmask" instead.

What's the difference between "disguise" and "camouflage"?

"Disguise" generally refers to altering appearance or concealing intentions, while "camouflage" specifically means blending in with the environment to avoid detection.