camouflage

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Coloring or patterns that help a person, animal, or object blend into its surroundings.

   Grammar: Uncountable when referring to the method or appearance; countable when referring to a specific pattern.

   Patterns

   • in camouflage
   • wear camouflage
   • natural camouflage

   The soldiers wore camouflage to avoid being seen.

   The chameleon's camouflage makes it nearly invisible.

   The leaves provide natural camouflage for the insects.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To hide or disguise something by making it blend into its surroundings.

   Grammar: Takes an object: camouflage the car. Can also be used with 'as': camouflage oneself as a bush.

   Patterns

   • camouflage something
   • camouflage oneself as something

   They camouflaged the truck with branches and leaves.

   The insect camouflages itself as a twig.

   He tried to camouflage his disappointment with a smile.

Word forms

Common combinations

camouflage clothing

Hunters often wear camouflage clothing.

camouflage netting

The army used camouflage netting to hide the vehicles.

perfect camouflage

The snow leopard's fur is perfect camouflage in the mountains.

camouflage pattern

The new uniforms have a digital camouflage pattern.

Synonyms and how they differ

disguise

Disguise often means changing appearance to look like something else, while camouflage means blending in.

concealment

Concealment is the act of hiding; camouflage is the method of blending in.

Opposites

Word family

camouflaged adjective

Hidden or disguised by blending in.

camouflage noun

The noun form, as above.

camouflage verb

The verb form, as above.

Commonly confused: camouflage or camaraderie?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “camouflage”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words