costume

1 of 3

noun

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm 

-ˌstyüm,

 also  -stəm,

or

ˈkäs-ˌchüm 

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 

-ˈstyüm,

 also  käs-ˈchüm;

 or  ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,

or

ˈkäs-ˌchüm 

or

-stəm 

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 

-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

Synonyms

Noun

• drag
• dress
• garb
• getup
• guise
• outfit
• togs

Verb

• apparel
• array
• attire
• bedeck
• caparison
• clothe
• deck (out)
• do up
• dress
• dress up
• enrobe
• garb
• garment
• get up
• gown
• habit
• invest
• rig (out)
• robe
• suit
• tog (up or out)
• toilet
• vesture

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

In other photos, Khai was snapped climbing a tree, as well as walking outdoors in a skeleton costume and vibrant red and purple fleece for Halloween. —Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024

Moo Deng has even become a popular Halloween costume this year, and starred on Saturday Night Live, when actor Bowen Yang featured her on the show's Weekend Update in October, discussing her perspective of newfound fame. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

Big Brother can stuff those elf costumes into storage for the foreseeable future. —Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024

It’s believed people put out treats to appease these wandering spirits and masked and costumed themselves to confuse any evil Earth wanderers. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024

Adjective

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Sydney. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images Bode Aujla, a downtown darling, fashioned Ariana Grande a Glinda in her hip, kitschy image without veering into costume territory. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024

There were also about 400 costume donations for people to choose from. —Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing costume

• bathing costume
• costume drama
• costume jewelry
• in costume
• national costume
• swimming costume

Kids Definition

costume

1 of 2 noun

cos·​tume ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm 

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