costume

noun cos·tume \ ˈkä-ˌstüm , -ˌstyüm also -stəm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm \

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of costume

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

See costume defined for English-language learners

See costume defined for kids

Examples of costume in a Sentence

children in their Halloween costumes
a formal 18th-century Japanese costume

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

The event also included costume contests for children, adults and pets as well as a pumpkin-carving competition.

— mark kellam, Glendale News-Press, "Holy Family Catholic Church holds country fair," 2 Nov. 2017
Kim Kardashian showed off her fourth Halloween costume change of the year on Tuesday night, twirling for the camera in a jumpsuit like that worn by the late Selena Quintanilla.

— lauren rearick, Teen Vogue, "Kim Kardashian and Demi Lovato Fans Fight Over Selena Quintanilla Costume," 1 Nov. 2017
The farce, based on the classic Sherlock Holmes detective tale, uses the gags theatergoers have seen for years: three actors playing multiple parts through frantic costume changes, men dressed as women, slamming doors, silly accents.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "In 'Baskervilles,' talented trio make fun look, well, elementary," 19 Oct. 2017
Halloween costumes are encouraged. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Havana 1920 restaurant and bar brings Hemmingway's Cuba to downtown San Diego," 11 Oct. 2017
Whatever the specifics of her latest release, her live performances can be counted on for dazzling costume changes, elaborate stage scenery and ubiquitous Top 40 hits.

— New York Times, "Pop, Rock and Jazz in NYC This Week," 28 Sep. 2017
Cold temperatures didn't stop 400 to 500 people, most in costume, from coming to downtown Clarendon Hills Saturday for the annual Halloween Walk.

— chuck fieldman, chicagotribune.com, "Clarendon Hills Halloween Walk survives cold weather," 30 Oct. 2017
Halloween is one of the rare times hockey players show personality, but Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid may end up regretting his costume idea.

— hemal jhaveri, For The Win, "Connor McDavid dressed up as Donald Trump for Halloween," 30 Oct. 2017
And yes, you little thot-pocket, your ass will look fantastic in this costume.

— the editors, The Cut, "Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas That Don’t Suck," 27 Oct. 2017

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.

Origin and Etymology of costume

French, from Italian, custom, dress, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo custom — more at custom

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1668

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

costume Synonyms

Synonyms

drag, dress, garb, getup, guise, outfit, togs;

fashion, mode, style;

array, caparison, vestments;

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

costume

verb cos·tume \ kä-ˈstüm , -ˈstyüm also käs-ˈchüm ; or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm or -stəm \

Definition of costume

costumed; costuming

transitive verb

1 : to provide with a costume

2 : to design costumes for

costume a play

Examples of costume in a Sentence

the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

In fairness to Ambrose, who is very skilled actress, the subsequent transformation, resplendently costumed by Catherine Zuber, is certainly dramatic in each and every way, but there are no transformations of the heart.

— chris jones, chicagotribune.com, "No changes of heart at all in this chilly 'My Fair Lady' at Lincoln Center on Broadway," 20 Apr. 2018
The costuming for Nakia, played by Ms. Nyong’o, made the broadest leaps, Ms. Carter said.

— melena ryzik, New York Times, "The Afrofuturistic Designs of ‘Black Panther’," 23 Feb. 2018
Get creative with these perfect two-person costumes that'll slay the Halloween game. 1.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "24 Genius BFF Halloween Costume Ideas You Need to Try," 20 Oct. 2017
The two matched in black Invictus Games polo shirts, giving you and your significant other a very easy and not-too-involved option for your Harry and Meghan couples costume this Halloween.

— josh duboff, Vanities, "Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Match in Black Polo Shirts at Invictus Games Training," 6 Apr. 2018
Like kids in a sandbox, Johnson and Bergman delight in introducing new ideas — sometimes with subtle forcefulness, gently urging veteran department heads to think outside the box on costuming, casting and design.

— jen yamato, latimes.com, "On the other side of 'The Last Jedi,' director Rian Johnson found the 'Star Wars' journey he was looking for," 3 Apr. 2018
One weird thing about this particular Lip Sync Battle costuming disaster?

— refinery29.com, "Charli XCX As Ed Sheeran Will Give You Nightmares," 28 Mar. 2018
And expect to see more than a little of the Alice Cooper persona in Herod, from the costuming to the makeup to the overall attitude.

— julie hinds, Detroit Free Press, "Rock royalty Alice Cooper brings menace to King Herod in live 'Jesus Christ Superstar'," 28 Mar. 2018
That song’s unsheathing of new personalities — each different, yet connected to the ones before — seemed in tune with Yoshio Yabara’s subtly varied layers of costuming.

— seth colter walls, New York Times, "Review: Meredith Monk, Still Peerless at Shocking Serenity," 15 Mar. 2018

First Known Use of costume

1802

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

costume Synonyms

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

costume

adjective cos·tume \ ˈkä-ˌstüm , -ˌstyüm also -stəm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm \

Definition of costume

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

See costume defined for English-language learners

Examples of costume in a Sentence

You're invited to a costume party!

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

Others involved with the production are Lisa Friedrichs (musical director), Clifford Harrison (lighting and sound design), Mariah Salvadori (assistant student director), Kiley Velasquez (stage manager) and Ryan Connolly (costume assistant).

— elizabeth marie himchak, Pomerado News, "'Mary Poppins' opens at Rancho Bernardo High next week," 18 Apr. 2018
Raymond will help with refining concepts, costume construction and the eventual roll out.

— patricia madej, Philly.com, "Philadelphia Union searching for mascot," 13 Apr. 2018
Rag & Bone’s version feels discreet, not costume-y.

— christine whitney, WSJ, "An Obsessive A-Z Guide to Spring’s Best Women’s Denim," 5 Apr. 2018
During their three weeks on site last summer, the dance makers also were expected to deliver their musical, scenic and costume requirements to the company.

— allan ulrich, San Francisco Chronicle, "S.F. Ballet whirls Unbound into historic dance festival," 4 Apr. 2018
Sunday’s annual Easter Parade on Fifth around St. Patrick’s Cathedral might not be a full-fledged parade as a much as a gathering of the fashion-minded and costume conscious.

— WSJ, "In an Easter Bonnet, With All Those Frills Upon It," 1 Apr. 2018
Mark Bridges, who won best costume design for Phantom Thread, ultimately made off with the shortest speech and was wheeled out on the jet ski at the end of the show with Helen Mirren.

— patrick ryan, USA TODAY, "7 things you should know happened at the Oscars," 5 Mar. 2018
The treasurer of a small volunteer fire department in Hamilton County is accused of stealing more than $130,000 since 2013, paying for a range of personal items that included a political flag, costume mask and funeral expenses for a relative.

— ryan martin, Indianapolis Star, "Treasurer stole from Hamilton County fire department for costume mask, funeral expenses, indictment says," 16 Mar. 2018
Silver-toed boots were a clever cowboy nod that didn’t feel costume-y at all, as were thicker belts and bold buckles.

— rhonda richford, The Hollywood Reporter, "London Fashion Week: Roksanda Cozies Up; Erdem's Dark Florals," 20 Feb. 2018

First Known Use of costume

1800

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Clothing Terms

babushka, brogue, bumbershoot, cravat, dishabille, furbelow, layette, raiment, spectator

COSTUME Defined for English Language Learners

costume

noun

Definition of costume for English Language Learners

: 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

Definition of costume for English Language Learners

: involving people wearing costumes

COSTUME Defined for Kids

costume

noun cos·tume \ ˈkäs-ˌtüm , -ˌtyüm \

Definition of costume for Students

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

Definition of costume for Students

costumed; costuming

: to provide with a special or fancy outfit

Learn More about costume

See words that rhyme with costume Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for costume Spanish Central: Translation of costume Nglish: Translation of costume for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of costume for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about costume

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costume

Definition of costume

costumey

Examples of costume in a Sentence

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

Origin and Etymology of costume

costume Synonyms

Synonyms

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Other Clothing Terms

costume

Definition of costume

Examples of costume in a Sentence

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

First Known Use of costume

costume Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Other Clothing Terms

costume

Definition of costume

Examples of costume in a Sentence

Recent Examples of costume from the Web

First Known Use of costume

Other Clothing Terms

Phrases Related to COSTUME

Related Phrases

COSTUME Defined for English Language Learners

costume

Definition of costume for English Language Learners

costume

Definition of costume for English Language Learners

COSTUME Defined for Kids

costume

Definition of costume for Students

costume

Definition of costume for Students

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