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
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
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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
Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Other more mundane moments become tense, as when Jenna – in a costume with lingerie touches – enters a supermarket.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
For Fell, elements of relatability came through both costuming and styling choices like Elphaba’s microbraids, a common hairstyle for Black women, and the film’s political undertones.
—Tamia Fowlkes, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
The show is inspired by costume designer Marylin Fitoussi, whose designs will take the stage during the experience.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume 
Noun
Gray then reappeared in her costume for a noticeably terse interview.
—Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 13 Jan. 2025
Other more mundane moments become tense, as when Jenna – in a costume with lingerie touches – enters a supermarket.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Jan. 2025
Verb
Although the lore surrounding Krampus can lean dark, The Milk District event, where an increasing number of attendees costume up or don horns for the occasion, is anything but.
—Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Dec. 2024
For Fell, elements of relatability came through both costuming and styling choices like Elphaba’s microbraids, a common hairstyle for Black women, and the film’s political undertones.
—Tamia Fowlkes, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The outsized curiosity goes beyond the cast and also involves the crew, with Deadline revealing earlier today that Oscar winner Holly Waddington (Poor Things) will be the series‘ costume designer.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2024
The show is inspired by costume designer Marylin Fitoussi, whose designs will take the stage during the experience.
—Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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There are also plenty of second-skin layers in ivory, chocolate brown or black with asymmetric zipper details, including a flirty short dresses, cropped T-shirts, bralettes and Capri leggings, technical nylon miniskirts and wide-leg pants.—
Booth Moore,
WWD,
23 Jan. 2025
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The mom of five also included a glamour shot of Ming wearing a silver sequin dress, her hair styled into voluminous waves.—
Catherine Santino,
People.com,
22 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Consider wearing a protective mask to prevent the inhalation of fumes.—
Jolie Kerr,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 Jan. 2025
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The athlete went as far as to wear an Animal mask over his head and face, ripped brown pants with a robe at his waist and a yellow cropped shirt with flames embossed on the fabric.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
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When they’re not clad in ski-gear and ensconced in protective helmets, Kendall has reached for outré furry R13 cowboy boots, bodycon by KHY, and Phoebe Philo outerwear.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
19 Jan. 2025
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Although Chalamet showing up to the London premier of A Complete Unknown on a Lime bike doesn’t come close to the effortless cool of Dylan jumping on his motorbike clad in leather, curly hair untamed and freewheeling up the highway to Newport.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Dimorphism can also develop from differing survival strategies between sexes, such as females needing better camouflage for nesting.—
Kristen Waggoner,
Newsweek,
22 Jan. 2025
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The troops — wearing camouflage body armor with AR-style rifles slung across their chests — aren’t a typical fixture the suburban community.—
Andrea Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Here, see how stars like Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña and more attired themselves for the 2025 Golden Globes after-parties.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
6 Jan. 2025
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Ladling the baked beans was retiree Terry Heller, of Rochester Hills, attired in a Detroit Lions pullover.—
Bill Laytner,
Detroit Free Press,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The breezy style is suitable for casual or dressy outings.—
Ali Faccenda,
People.com,
15 Jan. 2025
-
This is one such blazer: Its tuxedo style, with a satin lapel and well pockets, gives it a super dressy vibe.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
6 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Lin-Manuel Miranda dusted off his colonial garb and rapping skills for a surprise Saturday Night Live cameo this weekend, but because of a certain American president, the Hamilton scribe was immediately silenced mid-song.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
26 Jan. 2025
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One by one, however, as the event’s end time inched near, attendees headed back down to the posh hotel’s lobby—those clad in the brand’s new garb surely among the best dressed in the establishment.—
Jamila Stewart,
Vogue,
6 Dec. 2024
Noun
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In this guise, an already stylish vehicle more sophisticated than ever.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2025
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In its most recent guise, the company, which no longer has stores of its own, has made a return to the high street, re-emerging in 2021 through a deal with perennial brand collaborator and U.K. apparel powerhouse Next.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes,
6 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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