noun

guise

/ɡaɪz/ · say it: GYZ

an external, often false, appearance

In Nuance & Precision

In more detail

1. (noun) a false appearance or pretense, often used in the phrase "under the guise of"

2. (noun) external appearance or form; the way someone or something looks or seems

Examples

1. Under the guise of helping, he was actually trying to steal information.
2. The spy infiltrated the organization in the guise of a journalist.

How to use guise

Guise is most commonly used in the phrase 'under the guise of,' meaning under the false pretext or misleading appearance of something. It often carries a negative implication that something deceptive is being concealed. The word can refer to either deliberate deception or mere external appearance, though the deceptive sense is more prevalent in modern usage.

Common phrases

under the guise of
in the guise of
a thin guise
flimsy guise
guise of legitimacy

Synonyms

pretense · pretext · facade · appearance · semblance

Opposites

reality · truth

Word family

guises (plural)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 'guise' with 'guys' in pronunciation or spelling, or fail to recognize that 'under the guise of' is a fixed phrase meaning 'under the false pretense of' rather than simply 'in the appearance of.'

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