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

• dress
• clothes
• attire
• garb
• outfit

Verb

• dress
• clothe
• attire
• gown
• garment
• apparel

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

Everyone looks like a model or at least dresses like one (Naud actually doubles as costume designer). —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 Aug. 2025

Statewide locations are set to open starting in August with creepy decor, frightening costumes, haunted classics and more. —Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Verb

Directed by Berry Gordy, scored by a soaring Diana Ross ballad, and costumed brilliantly, the film charts the rise of Tracy Chambers—a retail assistant by day and fashion design student by night from the South Side, who leaves behind the familiar to become a supermodel and designer in Rome. —Shelton Boyd-Griffith, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025

Not only is her costuming spot-on for women of her time, but it’s also been given an injection of color and play. —Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 29 July 2025

Adjective

The panel conversations will include actors, casting directors, cinematographers, composers, costume designers, directors, editors, hair stylists, makeup artists, producers, production designers, prosthetics designers, visual effects producers, and writers. —The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025

As part of the General Basic Agreement Negotiations with IATSE, the Costume Designer Guild reached a deal which saw costume designers receiving a wage increase of over 40%, bringing the scale rate in line with similar creative peers. —Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 June 2025

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

Rhymes for costume

• assume
• backroom
• ballroom
• barroom
• bathroom
• bedroom
• boardroom
• bridegroom
• classroom
• cloakroom
• consume
• courtroom

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