costume

1 of 3

noun

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˌstyüm,
 also  -stəm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
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 How to pronounce costume (audio)
-ˈstyüm,
 also  käs-ˈchüm;
 or  ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm How to pronounce costume (audio)
or
-stəm How to pronounce costume (audio)
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 How to pronounce costume (audio)
-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

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
Charles Dickens’ classic tale of the curmudgeon Ebenezer Scrooge combines with dazzling set, costume and lighting designs for a magical holiday experience! The Enquirer, 4 Mar. 2024 Scenic design, Marsha Ginsberg; costume design, Anita Yavich; lighting design, Yi Zhao; sound design and composition, Michael Costagliola; projection design, Hannah Wasileski; physical movement coordination, Lorenzo Pisoni. Sophia Nguyen, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 The costume design, by Consolata Boyle, speaks almost as loudly as the script. James Poniewozik, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Some of the costumes were seemingly just as disastrous as the experience itself. Abigail Adams, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 The designers rose to the challenge of their own costumes, as well. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 28 Feb. 2024 Throughout the Star Wars films, a number of C-3PO costumes were used (one of which is held by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History). Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024 As for color, Rosario said that was the most important aspect of the show’s costume design. Caroline Brew, Variety, 27 Feb. 2024 Some prefer action figures, others like to dress up in the costumes, and not a few will write torrid fanfiction. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
Aside from the name, the event featured actors clearly costumed to look like Oompa Loompas. Megan Farokhmanesh, WIRED, 29 Feb. 2024 Dawson pushed the limits of what a concert constituted by costuming the company and incorporating dance and movement. Michael J. Solender, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Feb. 2024 If unionized, the group can better address concerns relating to costuming including being asked to wear tights and make-up that won't watch with a performer's skin tone. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2024 Greenwood’s angular design for Weird Barbie’s house directly inspired how Durran costumed the character, played Kate McKinnon. Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 From choreography to lighting design, hairstyling, makeup, and costuming, Dancing With the Stars racks up nominations in categories that are sometimes overlooked, but should be fully celebrated. Keith Langston, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2024 The company’s aim was to parody traditional classical ballet works and famous prima ballerina roles with professional male ballet dancers costumed in drag, playing all the male and female roles and dancing on pointe. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Jan. 2024 Seeking Mavis Beacon opens with a ritual under the starry night sky of Los Angeles: Two people costumed in clothes that look pulled from Puck’s closet wheel a whiteboard onto the street. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Jan. 2024 The parade, which has been known to include real camels and costumed wise men, begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday at 95 Park St. and ends at 11 a.m. at Pope Park. Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2024
Adjective
The data showed costume designers earn almost $1,000 less per week than production designers, their closest creative peers. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024 One important distinction is students train as costume makers and supervisors instead of costume designers while still learning all the basic disciplines of sewing, pattern-making and rendering along with the theoretical process of design. Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 So, every discipline of filmmaking — not just actors and directors and writers, but also costume designers and production designers, and hair and makeup artists, all collaborate with us on our exhibitions. Duante Beddingfield, Detroit Free Press, 1 Feb. 2024 There were no costume changes or band-showcasing exits. Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2024 Earlier this week, and two weeks after Halloween, Montag revealed her family's costume inspiration with a carousel of adorable family photos on Instagram. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023 For this story, Calin spoke to celebrity stylists and costume designers about the latest trends in fashionable winter boots. Calin Van Paris, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024 All of the members make up 18 different branches, including ones like: actors, directors, executives, music, producers, costume designers, short film, and feature animation, amongst others. Marlow Stern, Rolling Stone, 6 Feb. 2024 While actors are not permitted to appear in competing roles in the same category, this isn’t true for costume designers — and it’s happened several times since the category was first introduced at the 1949 awards. Randee Dawn, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'costume.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of costume was in 1668

Dictionary Entries Near costume

Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

costume

1 of 2 noun
cos·​tume ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm How to pronounce costume (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on costume

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