cos·tume
ˈkä-ˌstüm 
-ˌstyüm,
also -stəm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
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
cos·tume
kä-ˈstüm
-ˈstyüm,
also käs-ˈchüm;
or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or
-stəm
costumed; costuming
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
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
Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Sierra Crocker, a Fish dancer, said the fish costumes included fun, round eye glasses that resemble fish eyes.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Ash Wu, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Bathed in emerald or fuchsia light, costumed by Molly Irelan in a short dress, fishnet stockings, and clunky boots, Weilerstein shared the stage with Seth Reiser’s sets, an arrangement of slabs like so many sawn-up doors.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
Matt Minton, Variety, 19 Jan. 2025
Aimé Leon Dore, Drake’s and J. Crew have tapped hairstylists, costume designers, professors, podcasters and ad executives for their marketing campaigns.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for costume 
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Noun
The score is sweeping, the costumes impossibly intricate, and the ending fittingly bittersweet.
—Radhika Seth, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2025
Sierra Crocker, a Fish dancer, said the fish costumes included fun, round eye glasses that resemble fish eyes.
—Marcia Luttrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Feb. 2025
Verb
Image While costuming the Arabian army, Ms. Dalton immersed herself in research, spending months in the desert with tribes and making sure that her designs — including the above sketch of Mr. O’Toole’s robe — reflected the slightest color changes among different groups.
—Ash Wu, New York Times, 1 Feb. 2025
Bathed in emerald or fuchsia light, costumed by Molly Irelan in a short dress, fishnet stockings, and clunky boots, Weilerstein shared the stage with Seth Reiser’s sets, an arrangement of slabs like so many sawn-up doors.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The film was also nominated in below-the-line crafts, including for cinematography, editing, sound design, music, stage design, costume design and makeup and hairstyling.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 19 Jan. 2025
Aimé Leon Dore, Drake’s and J. Crew have tapped hairstylists, costume designers, professors, podcasters and ad executives for their marketing campaigns.
—Jacob Gallagher, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for costume
Dictionary Entries Near costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
costume
1 of 2 noun
cos·tume
ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm
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
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