camouflage
/ˈkæməflɑːʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈæməflˌɑʒ] /ˈkæməflɑːʒ/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈæməflˌɑʒ] /ˈka-mə-ˌfläzh How to pronounce camouflage (audio) -ˌfläj/ (ame, mw) · /ˈkæm.ə.flɑːʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈæməflˌɑʒ] /ˈkæm.ə.flɑːʒ/ (ame, ipa)
camouflage — noun
1. the use of paint, cloth, plants, or similar material to make soldiers or equipme
the use of paint, cloth, plants, or similar material to make soldiers or equipment blend into the surrounding area and stay hard to spot
Zayd spread green netting over the jeep as camouflage before dawn patrol.
use camouflage over + vehicle
Engineers painted the radar station in desert colours for better camouflage.
for better camouflage in military setting
Snow-covered sheets gave the field guns enough camouflage from the aircraft.
The patrol stayed under the trees, relying on shadow for camouflage.
- concealment
broader and more formal; it means keeping something hidden, not specifically blending it into the background
- cover
everyday and broader; it can mean physical protection as well as hiding from view
- screening
more technical; often used for trees, smoke, or barriers placed in front of something
- exposure
a state where soldiers or equipment are easy to see
文法句型
use camouflage on + vehicle/equipment
camouflage for + protection
rely on camouflage
用法筆記
Often used for military vehicles, weapons, uniforms, and fixed positions. It usually refers to a planned visual method of hiding, not simply being out of sight behind a wall.
常見錯誤
2. the colouring or body shape that helps wildlife or a plant disappear into the pl
the colouring or body shape that helps wildlife or a plant disappear into the place where it lives
The moth's camouflage matched the tree bark almost perfectly.
camouflage matched the tree bark
In winter, the hare depends on white fur for camouflage in snow.
depend on camouflage in + environment
The tiny fish uses leaf-like fins as camouflage among river plants.
Dry grass gives the nesting bird useful camouflage from foxes.
- protective colouring
a more technical phrase for colours that help an animal stay unseen
- concealment
broader; it covers any hidden state, not specifically natural colouring or shape
- blending
emphasises the visual effect of becoming hard to notice
- visibility
the state of being easy to see
文法句型
camouflage against + predator
camouflage in + environment
use camouflage among + plants/rocks
用法筆記
This sense is common in descriptions of insects, birds, reptiles, and plants. Distinguish from noun/1: here the hiding comes from a natural appearance rather than from paint or material added by people.
常見錯誤
3. something used to cover a real plan, feeling, or fact, or a way of acting that k
something used to cover a real plan, feeling, or fact, or a way of acting that keeps the truth from being noticed
The charity event was only camouflage for the company's secret deal.
camouflage for + hidden activity
Laughter became Iris's camouflage whenever the interview turned personal.
emotion used as camouflage
The report's technical language served as camouflage for weak evidence.
Faisal's calm smile was camouflage while he planned to resign.
- cover-up
stronger and more negative; it often suggests hiding wrongdoing after it happened
- disguise
can be literal or figurative; it stresses a false outward appearance
- smokescreen
especially for language or action used to distract attention from the truth
- openness
showing the truth directly instead of hiding it
文法句型
camouflage for + hidden plan/problem
use something as camouflage
camouflage of + truth/feeling
用法筆記
Usually applied to excuses, manners, events, or language that hide a deeper truth. Distinguish from noun/1 and noun/2: this sense is figurative and often concerns motives or emotions rather than physical hiding.
常見錯誤
camouflage — verb
- camouflagepresent simple I / you / we / they
- camouflages3rd person singular
- camouflaging-ing form
- camouflagedpast simple
1. to cover soldiers, vehicles, or equipment so they merge with what is around them
to cover soldiers, vehicles, or equipment so they merge with what is around them and are harder to see
Mechanics camouflaged the truck with mud and branches before sunrise.
camouflage + object + with + material
The rebels camouflaged their radios under sacks of rice in the barn.
Dewi camouflaged the tent by hanging leaves across the entrance.
Workers camouflaged the fuel tanks so drones would miss them.
- expose
to leave something easy to see
文法句型
camouflage + object + with + material
camouflage + object + by + -ing
be camouflaged against + background
用法筆記
The object is usually military equipment, a building, or a position. Common materials include paint, nets, mud, leaves, and cloth that help the object look like the area around it.
常見錯誤
2. to have colours or a shape that help a living thing disappear into the place whe
to have colours or a shape that help a living thing disappear into the place where it normally grows or lives
The stick insect camouflages itself by looking like a dry twig.
camouflage itself by + -ing
Sea horses camouflage among coral when larger fish swim past.
camouflage among + natural setting
The frog camouflages well on wet stones beside the stream.
This orchid camouflages against dark bark during the rainy season.
- stand out
to be easy to notice against what is around it
文法句型
camouflage in/among + environment
camouflage itself by + -ing
camouflage against + surface
用法筆記
Usually the subject is an animal or plant, not a person. Distinguish from verb/1: this sense describes a natural feature or behaviour, not a deliberate act of covering something with extra material.
常見錯誤
3. to make a feeling, motive, or problem less obvious by showing something else ins
to make a feeling, motive, or problem less obvious by showing something else instead
Emily camouflaged her disappointment with a quick joke at dinner.
camouflage + feeling + with + action
The company tried to camouflage rising losses with cheerful adverts.
camouflage bad news with positive image
Joon camouflaged his fear by talking loudly to the tourists.
Fresh paint could not camouflage the damp smell in the hallway.
- reveal
to let the real feeling or fact become known
文法句型
camouflage + feeling/problem + with + something
camouflage + fact + by + -ing
be camouflaged by + appearance
用法筆記
The object is usually an emotion, weakness, or damaging fact. It often suggests an attempt to distract attention rather than a complete success in hiding the truth.
常見錯誤
camouflage — adjective
- camouflagepositive
- more camouflagecomparative
- most camouflagesuperlative
1. made with the green, brown, or similar pattern usually used for camouflage
made with the green, brown, or similar pattern usually used for camouflage
Rafael bought a camouflage jacket for the hiking trip in Nepal.
camouflage + clothing noun
The children spotted camouflage trousers hanging by the camp door.
A camouflage hat lay on the dashboard beside the map.
The shop sold camouflage fabric for outdoor costumes and school plays.
- camouflaged
describes something that has been made hard to see, not just something printed in the pattern
- mottled
describes an uneven spotted appearance, without the military idea
- plain
without a patterned military-style design
文法句型
camouflage + jacket/trousers/hat
camouflage + fabric
用法筆記
This adjective is mostly used for clothes, bags, fabric, or printed material. It names the familiar pattern or colour scheme, not the act of hiding something.