What does disguising mean?
Disguising is the act of altering or concealing the appearance, identity, or true nature of a person or thing. In its most literal sense, it refers to changing how someone looks—through clothing, makeup, or costume—so that they cannot be recognized, as when a fugitive escapes by disguising himself as a priest. In a figurative sense, it describes hiding what something really is: a company might be disguising falling profits with creative accounting, or a person might disguise their anxiety behind confident small talk. The word derives from the verb "disguise," which entered English from Old French in the medieval period, built on the noun "guise," meaning manner or appearance. Disguising is neutral in tone but frequently carries an implication of intentional deception, especially when applied to emotions or facts rather than physical appearance. It remains a versatile word in narrative writing, journalism, and everyday description alike.
Present participle and gerund of disguise: to change the appearance or conceal the identity of a person or thing, or to hide the true nature of something.
"The thief left the building by disguising himself as a delivery driver."
As a gerund it functions as a noun: 'His skill at disguising was unmatched.'
The action or practice of disguising oneself or something else; concealment of identity or true character.
"Constant disguising took a toll on her sense of who she really was."
Every master spy in history owes a debt to a French word for 'custom' — because to disguise yourself is literally to change your guise, your customary appearance.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of disguising
Disguising comes from the verb "disguise," borrowed from Old French "desguiser" in the Middle English period. The French word combines the prefix "des-" (indicating reversal) with "guiser," from "guise," meaning fashion or manner, itself of Germanic origin via Frankish. English retains the sibling noun "guise," still common in phrases like "in the guise of." The word has carried its core sense of altering appearance since its earliest recorded use.
Related word forms
How disguising is actually used
Neutral in register; used in both everyday speech and literary contexts. When applied to emotions rather than appearances, it often implies deliberate deception, which can carry a mildly negative connotation.
Easily confused with disguising
"Disgusting" means extremely unpleasant or revolting, while "disguising" means concealing identity or true nature — they differ by one letter but share nothing in meaning.