1
as in dress
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event
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2
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
Halloween costumes that caricature some of the "celebrities" created by the media over the past year
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to dress
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costume
EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
But these cute and comfy boots also make the perfect Halloween costume accessory.
—Lauryn Jiles, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 22 Jan. 2025
However, their strength was seen not just on their faces–but it was also presented by Wagner by way of costuming.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024
Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
Three decades in the making, the stunning, informative presentation takes visitors inside the minds of costume directors with displays that explain not only the functionality and versatility of the costumes, but the safety aspects incorporated into them.
—Ryan Slattery, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Warren comes off as shrill and cloying when compared with Julie Andrews' perfect voice and unaffected sweetness, and the high-school-grade set design and categorically ugly costumes are that much more dismal when compared to the vivid production of the 1997 fairy tale.
—EW.com, 4 Mar. 2025
But these cute and comfy boots also make the perfect Halloween costume accessory.
—Lauryn Jiles, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
However, their strength was seen not just on their faces–but it was also presented by Wagner by way of costuming.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The evening celebrated three costume designers for their work through the years.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
Three decades in the making, the stunning, informative presentation takes visitors inside the minds of costume directors with displays that explain not only the functionality and versatility of the costumes, but the safety aspects incorporated into them.
—Ryan Slattery, Travel + Leisure, 29 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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Björk’s infamous 2001 Oscars swan dress takes flight as a delicate pavlova with passion fruit ganache, while Jennifer Lopez’s game-changing green Versace number appears as a tropical coconut mousse with pineapple-lime chutney on pistachio sponge.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
-
So, after that, the two go through the rest of the process including picking a dress and walking down the aisle together.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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With a mission to cater to Black hair, the brand built a devoted following, offering everything from deeply nourishing conditioners to cult-favorite hair masks.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Mar. 2025
-
In the middle is Toledo, 32, lanky and thoughtful as always, with an N95 mask and long hair hiding much of his face.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The model attended Aaron Esh’s dinner event at London's The House of KOKO on Sunday, Feb. 23, clad in a look that left little to the imagination.—
Michelle Lee,
People.com,
25 Feb. 2025
-
The gunman, clad in a red-and-black sweatshirt, dark-colored pants and black sneakers, ran off from the scene on White Plains Road near Pelham Parkway South, leaving behind two shell casings, police said.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Actual Ad The ad Cambridge sent shows what appears to be a father and son on a hunt, wearing matching camouflage jackets with rifles slung over their left shoulders.—
Corey G. Johnson,
ProPublica,
27 Feb. 2025
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Females tend to use this for camouflage, while males use it to show off.—
Elizabeth Rayne,
Ars Technica,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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In a portrait that is emblematic of her art, Gottfried photographed a circus entertainer dressed in a top hat and white tie, accompanied by his two canine partners, also formally attired, the large Doberman pinscher in a white tie and a turban, the miniature pinscher with a frilly collar.—
Arthur Lubow,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2025
-
The film’s stars, including Robert Pattinson, attired the best threads for the red carpet occasion, posing for photos ahead of the film’s screening.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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By For Cleaning Out My Closet Exceptions To My Closet Clean-Out Rule The only exceptions to my rule are extremely sentimental and/or dressy pieces.—
Mary Shannon Wells,
Southern Living,
1 Mar. 2025
-
Putting together a dressy outfit is no small feat during the winter.—
Isabel Garcia,
People.com,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Will this middle-aged man in his banker’s garb of pinstripe suit, blue shirt with a white collar and cuffs, be the one to vote against him?—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
4 Mar. 2025
-
Comprised of cowrie shells, the collar was elegant and a unique take on garbs worn during monumental, history-defining moments.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
According to certain cosmologies, their souls take on the guise of marine creatures—an idea that struck me as strangely comforting.—
Julian Lucas,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
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Those influences are often deliberate — coy and canny reworkings of previous themes and character types, presented again in new guises and winking reflections.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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