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 of costume

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

After finishing the films, the cast would take the world by storm with an almost inescapable press tour for the first Wicked, which premiered in November 2024 and shattered box-office records before winning Oscars for best costume and production design. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

Such costumes are interactive, playful, physically unwieldy and potentially protective. —Anya M. Galli Robertson, The Conversation, 21 Nov. 2025

Verb

The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes. —Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025

In the interview, Byrne opened up about his decision to tie the knot again, having previously been married to costume designer and artist Adelle Lutz. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025

Adjective

While attending a costume party on Halloween, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor posed for a picture with Happy Death Day actress Rachel Lynn Matthews. —Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025

So, a day after Halloween, there were costume changes in hopes of a program makeover. —Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 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