costume

noun

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cos·tume | \ ˈkä-ˌstüm

, -ˌstyüm also -stəm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm

Definition of costume

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

costume

verb

cos·tume | \ kä-ˈstüm

, -ˈstyüm also käs-ˈchüm; or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm

or -stəm

costumed; costuming

Definition of costume (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to provide with a costume

2 : to design costumes for costume a play

costume

adjective

cos·tume | \ ˈkä-ˌstüm

, -ˌstyüm also -stəm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm \

Definition of costume (Entry 3 of 3)

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

Other Words from costume Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About costume

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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 Thankfully, original costume designer Eric Daman is back, because this universe simply would not be the same without its high-prep style. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 28 May 2021 With the second batch of episodes airing this weekend, Smith and costume designer Tiffany Hasbourne walked us through the design thinking behind Brooke’s carefully composed, and very colorful, practice. — Jackson Mchenry, Vulture, 28 May 2021 But, says costume designer Gabriele Binder, it’s not Beth but another character that best dramatizes the sexism of the era. — Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2021 The shows even share a name-brand costume designer in Patricia Field, who outfits the foursome in individualized wardrobes of bright colors, lush fabrics and door-knocker earrings. — Judy Berman, Time, 16 May 2021 His fellow costume designer Tom Rand said had died in a nursing home. — New York Times, 29 Apr. 2021 For Billups, who served as the lead costume designer, the connection was even more personal. — Charli Penn, Essence, 13 Apr. 2021 Lyn Paolo, an Emmy-winning costume designer, called both women innovative collaborators. — Jonathan Landrum Jr., USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2021 The strong friendships portrayed on the show, formed as a result of the new reality and being rejected by society, is what drew Game Of Thrones costume designer Michele Clapton to the project. — Eliza Huber, refinery29.com, 9 Apr. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Face coverings will be required in addition to costume masks for rehearsal and performance dates. — Dewayne Bevil, orlandosentinel.com, 5 May 2021 The students, who do everything from building the set to costume design, have been rehearsing for months every day, three hours a day, said theater teacher Skye Whitcomb. — Jennifer Shapiro-sacks, sun-sentinel.com, 14 May 2021 Even during normal times, organizing commencements and all the traditional events particular to each campus — from champagne brunches and costume parades to alumni reunions — requires months of careful preparation. — BostonGlobe.com, 25 Apr. 2021 Wanda enters in a dimestore-spandex version of her classic original comics costume, as designed by writer/artist Jack Kirby. — Abraham Riesman, Vulture, 12 Feb. 2021 Fabrication work was completed by SCPS in Southern California, the same production studio that built concepts and movie props for Spider-Man: Homecoming and costume pieces for Avengers: Endgame. — Austin Irwin, Car and Driver, 19 Feb. 2021 Unfortunately, the Amazon marching group, the NOLA Chorus Girl (who usually costume as angels), and live horses will be absent this year, de Alteriis said. — Doug Maccash | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 30 Dec. 2020 In a recent interview with Vogue, Wilde said she and costume designer Arianne Phillips were thrilled when Styles joined the cast. — Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 4 Jan. 2021 Van Alstyne, an Anglican Dominican friar, dresses up as St. Nick during the holidays, more-or-less the way others costume as Santa Claus. — Doug Maccash | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 17 Dec. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The costume designer, Jeriana San Juan and I shared a conversation and discovered how Halston had inspired us both in so many ways throughout our careers. — Bettina Zilkha, Forbes, 11 June 2021 Mani, the show's costume designer, worked with Diana Patterson and illustrator Andy Poon to conceptualize the Batwing supersuit. — Chancellor Agard, EW.com, 8 June 2021 Mare Of Easttown's costume designer shopped for Mare's clothes at Wawa, and Winslet would purposefully leave all her clothes crumpled on the floor of her trailer after filming without ever washing, drying, or hanging them. — Natalie Morin, refinery29.com, 1 June 2021 From hosting four Project Runway franchises to celebrating the five-time Emmy Award winner Marina Toybina, the costume designer behind the hit show Masked Singer. — Stephan Rabimov, Forbes, 27 May 2021 How does a costume designer reckon with those visual memories? — Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 23 May 2021 Instead of heading to the stars in a standard-issue flight suit, costume designer Shiona Turini worked with the house of Dior to create a one-of-a-kind red leather look. — Janelle Okwodu, Vogue, 21 May 2021 Martha is mounting a production of Persephone and Halston offers to design the costumes — while also knowing a certain costume designer currently at the helm of a famous fashion label who might be game on assisting with him. — Whitney Friedlander, Vulture, 15 May 2021 Thereafter Lloren lived there with his Pekingese named Cobalt, who had more costume changes than his owner and his own social media account. — Sam Whiting, San Francisco Chronicle, 18 May 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'costume.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

1 Jun 2021

Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 23 Jun. 2021.

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More Definitions for costume

costume

noun

English Language Learners Definition of costume

(Entry 1 of 2)

: the clothes that are worn by someone (such as an actor) who is trying to look like a different person or thing

: the clothes worn by a group of people especially during a particular time in the past

costume

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of costume (Entry 2 of 2)

: involving people wearing costumes

See the full definition for costume in the English Language Learners Dictionary

costume

noun

cos·tume | \ ˈkäs-ˌtüm

, -ˌtyüm \

Kids Definition of costume

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : special or fancy dress (as for wear on the stage or at a masquerade)

2 : style of clothing, ornaments, and hair used during a certain period, in a certain region, or by a certain class or group ancient Roman costume peasant costume

costume

verb

costumed; costuming

Kids Definition of costume (Entry 2 of 2)

: to provide with a special or fancy outfit