costume
noun
-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
-ˈstyüm also käs-ˈchüm; or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm or ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or -stəm
\
Definition of costume (Entry 2 of 3)
costume
adjective
-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
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Synonyms & Antonyms for costume
Synonyms: Noun
drag, dress, garb, getup, guise, outfit, togs
Synonyms: Verb
apparel, array, attire, bedeck, caparison, clothe, deck (out), do up, dress, dress up, enrobe, garb, garment, get up, gown, invest, rig (out), robe, suit, tog (up or out), vesture
Antonyms: Verb
disarray, disrobe, strip, unclothe, undress
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Examples of costume in a Sentence
Noun
children in their Halloween costumes a formal 18th-century Japanese costumeVerb
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on EasterAdjective
You're invited to a costume party!
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
The centerpiece of the town’s Superman tourism is the annual Superman Celebration, which draws several thousand comic book fans each year to Metropolis for four days of costume contests, movie screenings, and celebrity appearances. — Michael Hardy, WIRED, "The Annual Super-Celebration in Superman's Real-World Home," 3 July 2018 The company holds several employee functions each year, including picnics, sporting events, movies and concerts in downtown Tucson, costume contests, decorating contests, a Thanksgiving potluck, and an awesome holiday party. — azcentral, "Top Companies to Work for in Arizona-Medium Companies," 7 June 2018 Immediately following will be a costume contest for humans and their magical beasts — dogs only. — Sheryl Devore, Lake County News-Sun, "Wizards event conjures up new grand banquet, continues kids magic school," 7 June 2018 Many enthusiasts in Saturday’s audience wore wacky costumes or Hawaiian shirts with leis. — Bill Brownlee, kansascity, "Maiden voyage of sailor-themed Jimmy Buffett tour is a pleasure cruise in Kansas City | The Kansas City Star," 20 May 2018 Thanks to the wild costume design of Olivera Gajic, everyone is more ridiculous. — Hugh Hunter, Philly.com, "Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's 'Twelfth Night': A hilarious tragedy on human frailty," 24 June 2018 There were stunning circus moments with Burton-esque quirkiness very much on display and exquisite attire by Oscar-winning costume designer Colleen Atwood. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "What surprised us about Disney's live-action 'Dumbo,' 'Aladdin,' 'Lion King' at CinemaCon," 24 Apr. 2018 Laurence Zakson, who represented guilds for makeup artists, hair stylists and costume designers as well as a public employee union, said Monday's ruling was important because the wage protections now extend beyond California. — Author: Maura Dolan, Anchorage Daily News, "Prior salary can’t justify wage gap between men and women, US appeals court rules," 10 Apr. 2018 Bands wear different costumes and represent many different themes. — Kristin Braswell, Vogue, "The Caribbean Carnivals You Don’t Want to Miss This Summer," 24 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
The costumes were designed by his wife, who specializes in costuming from between the Roman era and the Restoration era, Hewes said. — Emily Sorensen, Pomerado News, "PowPAC's 'Romeo and Juliet' opens Friday," 3 July 2018 All together, the aesthetic rang of the costuming in the cult-classic movie, Dazed & Confused, but with a slightly glossier, updated sense of wearability. — Nick Remsen, Vogue, "Designer Calvin Luo Reveals a ’70s-Spanning Menswear Collection in Paris," 26 June 2018 Another good friend of mine in the drag community that's really good at drag costuming is Cee-Cee LaRouge. — Hannah Steinkopf-frank, RedEye Chicago, "Drag queen Lucy Stoole's guide to Pride 2018," 21 June 2018 Nugent belongs to two Star Wars costuming groups — the 501st Legion and the Mandalorian Mercs — that volunteer at nonprofit organizations such as Make-A-Wish. — Stephen Ruiz, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Star Wars Half Marathon runner uses force of storied movie franchise for good," 20 Apr. 2018 Of course, no amount of costuming could hide Aguilera’s voice. — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Christina Aguilera and Jimmy Fallon Go Subway Busking in Disguise, Fooling No One," 15 June 2018 Marianne Pease traveled from Maryland as part of her ongoing effort to promote costuming as an art form. — David Garrick, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Costume makers converge on San Diego for convention of creativity," 14 May 2018 Critcheloe has always had a keen eye for costuming and set design. — Rachel Hahn, Vogue, "Ssion on His New Album O and His Absurdist, Sequin-Filled Sense of Style," 2 July 2018 Omari Hardwick’s costuming recalls Shaft (1971) and Coffy (1973), a kind of literal pun on blaxploitation movie history and black exploitation in the workplace. — Josephine Livingstone, The New Republic, "Sorry to Bother You Is a Brilliant Black Comedy About Race, Labor, and Magic," 29 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective
Antonio Banderas puts the finishing touches on his portrait of Picasso in the season finale of this costume drama, which changes subjects (and stars) season to season. — Gabe Cohn, New York Times, "What’s on TV Tuesday: James Corden in Britain and ‘Hannah Gadsby: Nanette’," 19 June 2018 Jessica Pushor, costume collections manager, displayed a pair of velvet rhinestone pumps (circa 1905) from the archives that were once worn by the second Mrs. Marshall Field, Delia. — Candace Jordan, chicagotribune.com, "Chicago History Museum's Costume Council luncheon honors shoe designer Brian Atwood," 13 June 2018 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. 2018These 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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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
-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
verbKids Definition of costume (Entry 2 of 2)
: to provide with a special or fancy outfit
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