noun
Uncommon
guise
GYZ
Guise (noun) means a false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth. Example: “The scam operated under the guise of a charity fundraiser.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- guises
- Third person singular
- guises
- Past tense
- guised
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
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."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for guise
See all rhymes for guise →Frequently asked questions
What does “guise” mean?
The word “guise” means a false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth. In plain terms, a disguise or cover story — the way something presents itself, often to hide its real nature.
How do you pronounce “guise”?
“Guise” is pronounced GYZ (/ˈɡaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “guise” in a sentence?
Here is “guise” used in a sentence: “The scam operated under the guise of a charity fundraiser.”
What is another word for “guise”?
Words with a similar meaning to “guise” include air, appearance, aspect, bearing, demeanor and deportment.
What part of speech is “guise”?
“Guise” is a noun.
Where does the word “guise” come from?
The word “guise” comes from Old French. From Old French guise ("manner, way"), from a Frankish word meaning "manner" or "fashion"; related to "wise.".
Is “guise” a common word?
“Guise” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “guise” have?
“Guise” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a false or deceptive outward appearance adopted to hide the truth.
