costume

1 of 3

noun

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˌstyüm,
 also  -stəm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
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

costume

2 of 3

verb

cos·​tume kä-ˈstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˈstyüm,
 also  käs-ˈchüm;
 or  ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
or
-stəm How to pronounce costume (audio)
costumed; costuming

transitive verb

1
: to provide with a costume
2
: to design costumes for
costume a play

costume

3 of 3

adjective

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˌstyüm,
 also  -stəm,
 or  ˈkäs-ˌchüm
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

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
Noun
The governor stayed in costume for a portion of the livestream before changing back into his suit attire. Kaycee Sloan, The Enquirer, 1 Nov. 2024 For more on Google trends around Halloween, costumes and movies, see our full trends story here. Grace Manthey, CBS News, 31 Oct. 2024
Verb
Most readers said teenagers ages 13-15 were too old to knock on doors, while others expressed that age is just a number if visitors are costumed. Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024 See our full list of favorite LGBTQ+ celebrity Halloween costumes below. Samantha Allen, Them, 29 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Powell is one of the few costume designers who has kept a collection of her creations. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024 Social media and its many influencers have completely changed how costume ideas are generated and marketed (and which ones are deemed offensive today). Alex Vance, Parents, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for costume 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'costume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian, custom, dress, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo custom — more at custom

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of costume was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near costume

Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

costume

1 of 2 noun
cos·​tume ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm How to pronounce costume (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on costume

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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