Camouflage: meaning, definitions and examples

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camouflage

[ˈkæməflɑːʒ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

military

The disguising of military personnel, equipment, and installations by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings.

Synonyms

concealment, disguise, masking.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
camouflage	Camouflage is often used in military or wildlife contexts to refer to a pattern or design that helps blend in with surroundings to avoid being seen. The soldier wore camouflage to blend in with the forest The frog's camouflage made it almost invisible among the leaves
disguise	Disguise involves changing one's appearance or identity to avoid recognition. This term is often used in contexts involving deception or role-playing. He wore a disguise to the party so no one would recognize him The spy's disguise was so convincing that even her friends didn't know it was her
concealment	Concealment refers to the act of hiding something from view or keeping it secret, used in both everyday and formal contexts. The concealment of the treasure was crucial to avoid thieves finding it Her concealment of the truth caused a lot of trouble in the end
masking	Masking is used to describe the act of covering or hiding something, often feelings, information, or even physical aspects. It can be used in both technical and casual contexts. She was masking her true emotions behind a smile In photography, masking techniques are used to control the exposure of different parts of the image

Examples of usage

Soldiers used camouflage to conceal their position from the enemy.
The tank was painted with camouflage colors to blend in with the forest.
Camo netting was used to hide the military base from aerial surveillance.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

fashion

A pattern on clothing or fabric designed to resemble the natural environment.

Synonyms

design, pattern, print.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
camouflage	This term is often used in a military context or when talking about blending into natural surroundings to avoid detection. The soldiers wore camouflage suits to blend into the forest. Some animals use camouflage as a survival tactic.

Word

Description / Examples

camouflage

This term is often used in a military context or when talking about blending into natural surroundings to avoid detection.

The soldiers wore camouflage suits to blend into the forest.
Some animals use camouflage as a survival tactic.

Examples of usage

The fashion designer incorporated camouflage prints into the new collection.
The trend of wearing camouflage jackets became popular among teenagers.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

general

To hide or disguise the presence of something.

Synonyms

conceal, disguise, hide.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
camouflage	Used in the context of military or hunting to make something blend in with its environment, often through the use of specific colors and patterns. The soldiers wore camouflage uniforms to blend into the forest Animals in the wild use natural camouflage to avoid predators
disguise	Used to describe altering appearance or characteristics to hide the true identity of a person or thing, often temporarily. He disguised himself as an old man to avoid recognition The spy's main job was to disguise secrets as everyday objects
hide	Used in everyday situations to describe putting something or someone out of sight to prevent it from being found. The children like to hide behind the curtains during their games She hid the cookies in a jar so her brother wouldn't find them
conceal	Used in general contexts to denote hiding something from view, often with the implication of secrecy. She concealed the letter in her drawer He tried to conceal his true feelings from everyone

Examples of usage

The spy tried to camouflage himself among the crowd.
The bird's feathers are designed to camouflage it against predators.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the French word 'camoufler', meaning 'to disguise'. It was used widely during World War I.
Originally, the word was used to describe a method of providing cover and concealment for soldiers and equipment.

Nature

Many animals, like polar bears and leafy sea dragons, use camouflage to blend into their environments and hide from predators or sneak up on prey.
Certain species of cuttlefish can change their color and texture in an instant, showcasing one of the most remarkable forms of camouflage found in nature.

Military History

During World War I, the introduction of camouflage painting on ships, known as 'dazzle camouflage', was designed to confuse enemy ships about their size and speed.
Modern military uniforms often use specific patterns and colors designed to blend in with various environments, like forests or deserts.

Art and Culture

Artists have long used camouflage techniques in their work, using patterns to alter perceptions and challenge viewers’ observations.
In fashion, clothing designers sometimes create patterns that mimic camouflage to generate a trendy yet practical look.

Psychology

Studies show that individuals who blend in are often perceived as more approachable and likable in social settings, highlighting a psychological aspect of camouflage in human interactions.
The phenomenon of social camouflage involves adapting one’s behavior or appearance to fit in with different social groups.

Translations

Translations of the word "camouflage" in other languages:

🇵🇹 camuflagem

🇮🇳 छलावरण

🇩🇪 Tarnung

🇮🇩 kamuflase

🇺🇦 камуфляж

🇵🇱 kamuflaż

🇯🇵 迷彩 (めいさい)

🇫🇷 camouflage

🇪🇸 camuflaje

🇹🇷 kamuflaj

🇰🇷 위장 (wi-jang)

🇸🇦 تمويه

🇨🇿 kamufláž

🇸🇰 kamufláž

🇨🇳 伪装 (wěizhuāng)

🇸🇮 kamuflaža

🇮🇸 felulitur

🇰🇿 жасыру

🇬🇪 კამუფლაჟი

🇦🇿 kamuflyaj

🇲🇽 camuflaje

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,701, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
17698 skirmish
17699 pumpkin
17700 intimidate
17701 camouflage
17702 impartially
17703 encumbered
17704 proverbs
...