costume

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

|Updated on: 18 Jun 2018

Examples: costume in a Sentence

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

Donald Runnicles, conductor; Francesca Zambello, director; Michael Yeargan, set design; Catherine Zuber, costume design; Mark McCullough, lighting; S. Katy Tucker, Jan Hartley, projection design; Ian Robertson, chorus director.

— chronicle staff report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Classical music and dance listings," 14 June 2018
The adaptation of one of the weirder Marvel brands did everything wrong, from its garish costumes to its hammy dialogue to its terrible special effects.

— kelly lawler, USA TODAY, "11 Marvel TV shows, definitively ranked (including 'Cloak and Dagger')," 11 June 2018
Delgado, dressed in street clothes, checks with Sanchez to assure his costume will have a visible pocket.

— ruthe stein, SFChronicle.com, "‘Sesame Street’ star Emilio Delgado picks up the sword as Don Quixote at Cal Shakes," 8 June 2018
In the shot, Ravenel and Dennis smile alongside their daughter, who is holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing her dance costume.

— jodi guglielmi, PEOPLE.com, "Southern Charm's Kathryn Dennis and Ex Thomas Ravenel Attend Daughter's Dance Recital Together," 5 June 2018
Gregg Barnes' costumes suggest the animation of the flick, then surpass it with what looks to be more sequins and Swarovski crystals than Liberace used in a lifetime.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "It's a bumpy ride back to the boy-crazy '60s for the 6-woman cast of Great Lakes Theater's 'Beehive' (review)," 10 May 2018
Though her fans didn't exactly know what her costume was, they were obsessed nonetheless.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Adele Celebrated Her 30th Birthday with a Titanic-Themed Party," 7 May 2018
The competition gives prizes for best costume design, best breakdown, and best/worst pun in design.

— bethany ao, Philly.com, "At the Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby, high school kids take on other amateur engineers in a race to a mud pit," 17 May 2018
The production and costume designs (by Suzie Davies and Keith Madden) are impeccable and understated.

— ian mcewan, New York Times, "Review: In ‘On Chesil Beach,’ a Honeymoon Gone Wrong," 16 May 2018

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

For a full list of costuming events, visit Phoenix Comic Fest's website.

— garrett mitchell, azcentral, "Phoenix Comic Fest: The cosplay you'll likely see this year," 23 May 2018
The most notable feature of the regional was not the golden chick that sat, costumed in feathery yellow, among the spectators.

— christopher schultz, PEOPLE.com, "5 Things to Watch Out for During the 2018 Scripps National Spelling Bee," 31 May 2018
Even for people who dislike that style of humor, the singing, visuals, and costuming provided ample reason to go.

— trevor moore, charlotteobserver, "STUDENT REVIEW: ‘Charlie Brown’ at Carmel Christian | Charlotte Observer," 20 May 2018
Attractively costumed by Rose Tringali, Marcotte’s cast of delightful characters delivers exciting performances and many, many chuckles.

— patti restivo, Howard County Times, "Spirited comedy, courtesy of APL scientists," 19 Apr. 2018
This year’s features include pop culture actors, top comic book writers & artists, programming, exhibitors, costuming, and more.

— azcentral, "Phoenix Comic Fest Saturday Passes Sweepstakes," 8 May 2018
The crowd appreciated inventiveness and spirit in costuming above all.

— michael democker, NOLA.com, "Watch the sweep of Bourbon Street to mark the end of Mardi Gras," 14 Feb. 2018
Traditional Folklórico dance styles and costuming have maintained much of their folk origins.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Old Town prepares for Cinco de Mayo with annual Folklorico Competition," 3 May 2018
Pieces show man in acrobatic postures, sometimes costumed in bird masks and often wings.

— allison boerger, San Antonio Express-News, "S.A. to have permanent huge selfie wings in Hemisfair," 2 May 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

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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

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costume

Definition of costume for Students

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