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
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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
Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Highlights include Philippine folk dancing and music, colorful costumes and vendors along with Filipino cuisine and fashion show highlighting the evolution of Filipiniana culture.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Fairy tale fashion: An in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film with designers and cast.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 May 2025
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe shows up in the illusion of a business suit before revealing a real red-and-black suit (a collaboration between Thom Browne and costume designer Paul Tazewell), accessorizing with a monocle and bowler hat, a Marie Lichtenberg ring and a Vacheron Constantin watch.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Scream begat five sequels (with a sixth on its way), a television series, and one of the all-time great Halloween costumes.
—Jordan Hoffman, EW.com, 6 June 2025
Highlights include Philippine folk dancing and music, colorful costumes and vendors along with Filipino cuisine and fashion show highlighting the evolution of Filipiniana culture.
—Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025
Verb
Merry Tunes: Learn the story behind the new songs with EGOT-winning songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Fairy Tale Fashion: Receive an in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film from legendary costume designer Sandy Powell.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Fairy tale fashion: An in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film with designers and cast.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 May 2025
Adjective
Though some may believe a costume designers job is to make the physical suits and dresses seen on screen, typically most of their time is spent directing others.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 May 2025
Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe shows up in the illusion of a business suit before revealing a real red-and-black suit (a collaboration between Thom Browne and costume designer Paul Tazewell), accessorizing with a monocle and bowler hat, a Marie Lichtenberg ring and a Vacheron Constantin watch.
—Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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And then there’s also this really pretty yellow dress that has all this beading.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
16 June 2025
-
The collection leans into denim dressing with items like tops, dresses and shorts.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
16 June 2025
Noun
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But the current moment, typified by stars like Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Charli XCX, tends to be about showcasing one’s sexuality ironically, or with an acid flippancy, or from behind a mask, or with a certain cool stance of meta control.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Over a dozen federal agents, some hiding their faces with neck gaiters or medical masks, stood talking in small groups on the 12th floor at 26 Federal Plaza for several hours Friday morning.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Excitement reverberated throughout the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park as city officials unveiled the host city plaque to a crowd of kids clad in cleats and jerseys who were eager to take part in a youth soccer clinic led by former San Jose Earthquakes player Shea Salinas.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
12 June 2025
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In the footsteps of those dancing orphans roamed my students, burnished by tanning beds and clad in tiny shorts.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
11 June 2025
Noun
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Foundation plantings add color, texture, and beauty to your landscape while also providing camouflage for your home’s less-than-pretty concrete or block foundation.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
30 May 2025
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Related Stories The Mogami Terra Tech’s biological and engineered materials combine in natural shades like camouflage fatigues, extracted from terrestrial environments saturated with brush, soil and clay.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Beside him was Janet, his second wife, who was two decades younger and smartly attired in shades, a plaid sunhat, and a sleeveless blouse.—
Alec Nevala-Lee
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
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The Fisherman's Ring Once attired in his vestments, the pontiff returns to the Sistine Chapel and sits on a papal chair.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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Arriving together in a car, The Hunger Games star, 34, and Madame Web actress, 35, almost matched in dressy casual looks, the former in an all-black ensemble and the latter in a black top, brown blazer and gray dress pants.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
2 June 2025
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With three oversized bows at the front, this tweed shift dress is a dressy option for evening events.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
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The passengers and drivers wear everything from Western cowboy garb and buckskins to historic pioneer wear.—
Tina Li,
Sacbee.com,
7 June 2025
-
Many of the soldiers will march in the parade in period costumes, including Revolutionary War garb purchased from a production company, with the goal of telling the public the story of the service's 250 years.—
Anne Flaherty,
ABC News,
21 May 2025
Noun
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This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.—
Sho Dewan,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
-
The designer, known for his maximalist, gender-fluid creations, sees his role as providing a bridge to allow people to explore apparently imaginary identities by slipping into new guises.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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