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
cos·tume
kä-ˈstüm
-ˈstyüm,
also käs-ˈchüm;
or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or
-stəm
costumed; costuming
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
Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The couple — romantically linked since 2021 — dressed as art and fashion icons Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, donning wigs and costumes reminiscent of their looks from the 1965 New York Film Festival.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
As such, the starring roles this year belong not to actors and models—though, yes, all your favorites will be in attendance—but to costume designers and their work.
—Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
This costume idea is for the polycules that just have a single really hot girl at their nucleus.
—James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
Heidi Klum kept fans guessing all day with hints about her 2025 Halloween costume.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Nov. 2025
The couple — romantically linked since 2021 — dressed as art and fashion icons Andy Warhol and Edie Sedgwick, donning wigs and costumes reminiscent of their looks from the 1965 New York Film Festival.
—Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
Last year, North — whom Kim shares with ex-husband Kanye West — showed off a few of her 2024 Halloween costumes on TikTok.
—Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
As such, the starring roles this year belong not to actors and models—though, yes, all your favorites will be in attendance—but to costume designers and their work.
—Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
With Halloween being less than a week away, Thorne threw a costume party and elevated her look with a pair of lofty Versace heels.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
This costume idea is for the polycules that just have a single really hot girl at their nucleus.
—James Factora, Them., 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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