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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Unfolding against the backdrop of SCAD’s campus in the hilltop village of Lacoste in the Luberon Valley, honorees included actor Toby Jones, director Stephen Frears, screenwriter Christopher Hampton and James Bond and Harry Potter costume designer Jany Temime. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 June 2025 Every cobbled lane was blocked by revelers crowded outside the bars, all wearing white-and-red fiesta costumes. Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 June 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, the founding designer continues to dedicate himself to costume design for top theater and opera companies across Europe, in addition to designing the Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix line. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 July 2025 Producers provide guidance on costuming for early auditions, and later provide outfits During the early auditions, producers provide wardrobe guidance for contestants. Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
Top stylists and costume designers will discuss their creative processes, and the importance of authenticity, in addition to how distinct wardrobe choices over the years have brought our stories to life on screen. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 17 June 2025 He was raised by two theater majors — his mother's focus was costume design while his dad, Alan Barinholtz, studied acting and later went on to star as the judge in the 2023 reality show, Jury Duty. Julia Moore, People.com, 1 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for costume

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!