COSTUME Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

costume 1 of 3

noun

ˈkä-ˌstüm

Definition of costume

as in dress

clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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

costume

2 of 3

verb

kä-ˈstüm

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

costume

3 of 3

adjective

as in costumey

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of costume

Noun

McDaniel had purchased multiple superhero and supervillain costumes from overseas that were delivered to the two addresses, the affidavit said, citing customs records. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026 Others got more creative and donned patriotic costumes, including Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. — Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 1 July 2026

Verb

True to its source material, this latest adaptation of the vampire story delivers on the centuries old legacy of sexiness; costuming for the show playing an integral part in pulling that off. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 14 June 2026 Indeed, Green throws off a kind of 1970s Wonder Woman vibe at times, especially given how she is costumed by Theresa Ham, and that adds to the fun. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Adjective

Russian strikes also damaged Kyiv’s Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, which holds the country’s largest and oldest costume collection. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026 Iconic costume designers Colleen Atwood and Mark Sutherland talk about the art of adaptation, collaborating with Tim Burton, and introducing a new generation of fans to everyone’s favorite morbid daughter. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for costume

Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume

Noun

Footwear is really the only requirement to wear a caftan dress, so feel free to pull out your summertime hits like strappy sandals.

— Katherine J Igoe, InStyle, 2 July 2026
Keep a handful near your washing machine or drying rack for blouses, dresses, workout wear, or delicate pieces that should skip the dryer.

— Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2026

Definition of dress

Noun

But in each event—in the living act, the undoubted deed—there, some unknown but still reasoning thing puts forth the mouldings of its features from behind the unreasoning mask.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 July 2026
How To Clean Dryer Vents Put on protective equipment – dust mask and eye goggles.

— Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 July 2026

Definition of mask

Noun

But this year, according to a dress code reviewed by The Athletic, women have been told that strapless, off-the-shoulder and spaghetti-strap attire is not permitted, with illustrations of appropriate and inappropriate wear for both men and women.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 4 July 2026
Shop More Loft Sales Talbots is the destination for elegant travel outfits and office-ready attire.

— Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 4 July 2026

Definition of attire

Noun

The resident of the house answered the door, and was met by a man wearing a gray sweatshirt and jeans, with a camouflage mask or bandana covering his mouth.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 30 June 2026
Some of them wear face paint, camouflage uniforms, and ghillie suits — ducking in and out of foxholes cut into the ground.

— Avery Schmitz, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Definition of camouflage

Verb

Lopez wore three custom Ralph Lauren gowns – one a revamp of the designer's turtleneck column dress made with 1,000 handkerchiefs.

— Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 3 July 2026
In London, Lexi Minetree attended a special screening of Elle wearing an archival Stella McCartney gown in Elle Woods' signature shade of pink.

— Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026

Definition of gown

Adjective

And the square neckline lends this floaty silhouette just enough structure to pull it in a more dressy direction.

— Tanya Sharma, InStyle, 27 June 2026
There are plenty of vacation moments that call for something dressier than sandals but far more comfortable than heels, and these raffia flats fit the bill perfectly.

— Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 26 June 2026

Definition of dressy

Browse Nearby Words

costs

costume

costumed

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

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Synonyms of costume

noun

verb

adjective

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