noun
guise
GYZE/ɡaɪz/
An outward appearance that may hide the true nature of something.
The wolf wears a sheep's fleece as a misleading guise.
Etymology
The word for a manner or fashion first described a style of dress. Through the sense “mask or disguise,” it came to mean an assumed appearance that can conceal reality.
In context
Secondly, under the guise of bestowing a marriage, he wants me, a county mistress with only a title, but no real power to keep in check the forces he feels are beyond his control.
More examples
- He offers criticism under the guise of helpful advice.
- The same scam returns in a different guise each year.
- The wolf appears in the guise of a kindly grandmother.
Forms
guise · guises
Similar words
- appearance
- Appearance describes how something looks, without necessarily suggesting deception.
- disguise
- Disguise emphasizes a deliberate change meant to prevent recognition.
- facade
- Facade suggests a misleading front that conceals an unpleasant reality.