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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of costume
Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Envisioned by the award-winning director Baz Luhrmann and costume and production designer Catherine Martin of Moulin Rouge!
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Hopefuls are judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and authenticity in portraying the real-life Gold Rush character Klondike Kate.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
While attending a costume party on Halloween, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor posed for a picture with Happy Death Day actress Rachel Lynn Matthews.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Silvery costumes abandoned in the shallows.
—Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026
Envisioned by the award-winning director Baz Luhrmann and costume and production designer Catherine Martin of Moulin Rouge!
—Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
Verb
That’s played out across numerous collaborations over the last few decades, with pop culture-defining shoots lensed by Steven Klein and tours that followed costumed by the house.
—Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 Jan. 2026
Hopefuls are judged on musical performance, song choice, vocal abilities, costuming, crowd appeal and authenticity in portraying the real-life Gold Rush character Klondike Kate.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
Although the film is an adaptation, the idea to use millinery to help build the mythical court dress of Migal Bavel was costume designer Susie Coulthard’s idea.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
While attending a costume party on Halloween, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor posed for a picture with Happy Death Day actress Rachel Lynn Matthews.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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In Arizona, Raouf Vafaei’s mom bought a dress to wear for his citizenship ceremony.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
12 Feb. 2026
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This dress has built-in shapewear and can easily take you from day to night with the right accessories.—
Taylor Fox,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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White House border czar Tom Homan said the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats' demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
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White House border advisor Tom Homan said the administration was unwilling to agree to Democrats’ demands that federal officers clearly identify themselves, remove masks during operations and display unique ID numbers.—
Aamer Madhani,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Verb
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But the monks, clad in saffron and maroon robes, soon became unexpected celebrities.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
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The latter posed up a storm at The Metropolitan Opera in Lincoln Center, clad in a bold, texture-heavy outfit featuring suede boots.—
Kelsey Stewart,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Speaking of styling tricks to steal, the foppish ties that almost looked like silk scarves or ribbons at the Yohji Yamamoto show would be a good alternative for women who want some kind of necktie but think a traditional men’s tie reads too costumey.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
29 Jan. 2026
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Never one to get too costumey, however, Hadid gave the look an edge with her styling.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Equipped with firearms and wearing camouflage, Thompson then fatally shot four others -- including an off-duty city police officer -- in his neighborhood and along a greenway.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Feb. 2026
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Gardner survived the attack and was able to describe the shooter as a young man in camouflage.—
Minyvonne Burke,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Photos from airports reviewed by USA TODAY from the USA TODAY Network, Reuters and Getty Images taken during the holiday travel season showed that flyers were largely attired in outfits ranging from casual to business casual.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
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Turkey Trot events The S3 Turkey Trot, which includes three race options, features thousands of participants attired in costumes ahead of the Nov. 27 parade.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Over at a presentation at the Sam Edelman showroom, Libby Edelman, co-founder and senior vice president, walked FN through the key styles and trends on display, with a focus on pumps, dressy and cold-weather boots and ballet flats — as well as materials like lace and velvet.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Fortunately, the shoe’s look—sleek but not too dressy—goes with just about everything.—
Kaelin Dodge,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The measure would allow some exemptions, including for officers involved in undercover operations and SWAT duties or who are wearing religious garb.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
11 Feb. 2026
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After his choice of wrestling garb garnered significant attention and support, King released a t-shirt benefiting a non-profit organization in California.—
Isabel Yip,
NBC news,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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