noun
guise
GYZ
noun
1
A false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth.
"The scam operated under the guise of a charity fundraiser."
"He entered the building in the guise of a delivery driver."
2
A style of dress or way of presenting oneself.
"The actors performed in the guise of medieval knights."
How to Use Guise
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA disguise or cover story — the way something presents itself, often to hide its real nature.
Common mistake
Almost always used with "under" or "in" ("under the guise of") rather than standing alone as a verb, though "to guise" (to dress up) does exist as a rare verb.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
under the guise of
in the guise of
Word Forms
guised past tense, guises plural, Guises plural, guises singular
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The scam operated under the _____ of a charity fundraiser.
Etymology
From Old French guise ("manner, way"), from a Frankish word meaning "manner" or "fashion"; related to "wise."