Disguised vs You've come dressed as one

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Disguised

Top 5,000 (fairly common)

You've come dressed as one

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: DisguisedMost common: You've come dressed as one
 DisguisedYou've come dressed as one
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //dɪsˈɡaɪzd//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈɡaɪzd//🇬🇧 //jʊv kʌm drɛst æz wʌn//🇺🇸 //jʊv kʌm drɛst æz wʌn//
Meaninghidden or made to look differentYou are wearing a costume that represents someone or something.
ExampleHe was disguised as a clown at the party.At the party, you've come dressed as one of the superheroes.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 5,000 (fairly common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsdisguised identity, disguised as, disguised appearance, disguised motives, disguised threatscome dressed as, dressed as a character, come in costume
Antonymsrevealed, exposed-
Common mistakesConfusing with 'disguises' as a noun rather than a verb, Using it without a direct object, Mispronouncing it as 'disguised' instead of the correct formUsing 'dressed' without a subject, e.g., 'Come dressed as one.', Confusing with 'dressed up' which implies more formality., Not specifying the character or theme when it’s clear.
Usage notesUse in contexts where something is not recognizable. Avoid in formal writing.This phrase is often used in casual conversations or parties. It’s suitable for friendly contexts, like Halloween or themed events.

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Disguised
You've come dressed as one

Frequently asked questions: Disguised vs You've come dressed as one

What's the difference between Disguised and You've come dressed as one?

Disguised: hidden or made to look different You've come dressed as one: You are wearing a costume that represents someone or something.

Which is more formal: Disguised and You've come dressed as one?

Disguised is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Disguised and You've come dressed as one?

You've come dressed as one is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Disguised: He was disguised as a clown at the party. You've come dressed as one: At the party, you've come dressed as one of the superheroes.

Can I use Disguised and You've come dressed as one interchangeably?

Not always. Disguised and You've come dressed as one are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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