Guise Meaning
/ˈɡaɪz/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA customary way of speaking or acting; a fashion, a manner, a practice (often used formerly in such phrases as "at his own guise"; that is, in his own fashion, to suit himself.)
nounAn external appearance in manner or dress; an appropriate indication or expression; a garb; a shape.
Sentence Examples
Life's aspirations come in the guise of children.
Fadil befriended Dania under the guise of wanting to be closer to God.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The spy entered the meeting under the ____ of a journalist.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The spy entered the foreign country under the ____ of a traveling merchant to avoid suspicion.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English guise, gise, gyse, from Old French guisse, guise, vise (“guise, manner, way”), from Old Frankish *wīsa (“manner, way, fashion”), from Proto-Germanic *wīsǭ (“manner, way”), from Proto-Indo-European *weyd- (“to see, view, behold, perceive”). Cognate with Old High German wīsa (“way, manner”), Old English wīse (“way, manner”), Dutch wijze (“way, manner”). More at wise.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ought we be concerned that our rights to protest are being continually eroded under the guise of enhancing our safety?"
— 2013 September 13, Russell Brand, The Guardian:
"This was almost like a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly in an international guise so it comes as no surprise that England lacked the sort of sharpness and inspiration that would have come with more match practice."
— 2020 September 5, Phil McNulty, “Iceland 0-1 England”, in BBC Sport:
"But in the blink of an eye, you kissed me goodbye
And the taste of your lips left me mortified
They were cold, full of spite
And under a guise
You promised we'd both be dead that night"
— 2022, Vane, “Six Feet Under”:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The spy entered the meeting under the ____ of a journalist.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The spy entered the foreign country under the ____ of a traveling merchant to avoid suspicion.