camouflage

Everyday

1. Camouflage is colours, patterns or shapes that help an animal or thing blend into its surroundings so it is hard to see. tree →
2. To camouflage means to hide something by making it look like what is around it. tree →
3. Camouflage is the green and brown patterned clothing soldiers wear. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on adaptation, pupils learn how animals use camouflage to hide from predators or prey: stick insects look like twigs, chameleons and octopuses change colour, polar bears are white like snow. Phrases: use camouflage, camouflaged against, camouflage gear.

Examples

• The stick insect uses camouflage to look like a twig. tree →
• A polar bear's white fur is camouflage in the snow. tree →
• The chameleon changed colour to camouflage itself. tree →
• The moth was camouflaged against the tree bark. tree →
• Soldiers wear camouflage in the jungle. tree →
• Can you spot the camouflaged frog in the picture? tree →
• Zebras' stripes may confuse predators. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun: camouflage (not a camouflage). Spelling: ca-mou-flage, ending -age said like the s in measure. Myth: chameleons do not change colour just to match any background; they change mostly with mood, light and temperature.