costume

1 of 3

noun

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˌstyüm
also -stəm
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
Synonyms of costumenext
1
: the prevailing fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period, country, or class
2
: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing
Halloween costumes
3
: a person's ensemble of outer garments
especially : a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
costumey adjective

costume

2 of 3

verb

cos·​tume kä-ˈstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˈstyüm
also
käs-ˈchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
or
ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm How to pronounce costume (audio)
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
or -stəm
costumed; costuming

transitive verb

1
: to provide with a costume
2
: to design costumes for
costume a play

costume

3 of 3

adjective

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˌstyüm
also -stəm
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
1
: characterized by the use of costumes
a costume ball
a costume drama
2
: suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
a costume handbag

Synonyms of costume

Relevance

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of costume in a Sentence

Noun children in their Halloween costumes a formal 18th-century Japanese costume Verb the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter Adjective You're invited to a costume party!
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But family is less impressed by the costume, and at home, the truth arrives faster. — Dr. Shaoqing Sun, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026 Visitors to the skyscraper are screened and told not to bring large packages, sports equipment, costumes or masks, among other items. — Jennifer Peltz, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026
Verb
That attention to detail was present across all of the show’s departments, from sets and costuming to the cameras that captured it all. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 15 June 2026 Cats is a ballroom-culture fantasia, stuffed to the brim with stunning displays of costuming artistry across two acts of musical-theater excess. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 28 May 2026
Adjective
So that was kind of cool to get basically a flip side of a costume coin. — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 26 May 2026 There are no costume changes, just a jersey-and-shorts combo that wouldn’t look out of place at a backyard barbecue and loose curls that Eilish styles each night herself. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for costume

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian, custom, dress, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo custom — more at custom

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of costume was in 1668

Phrases Containing costume

Rhymes for costume

See All Rhymes for costume

Browse Nearby Words

costumbrista
costume
costume drama
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

costume

1 of 2 noun
cos·​tume ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm How to pronounce costume (audio)
1
: the style of clothing, ornaments, and hair characteristic of a certain period, region, or class
ancient Roman costume
peasant costume
2
: special or fancy dress (as for wear on the stage or at a masquerade party)
3
: a person's outer clothing
costume adjective

costume

2 of 2 verb
costumed; costuming
: to provide with a costume

More from Merriam-Webster on costume

Nglish: Translation of costume for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about costume

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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