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

Call Beverly Fish at Chezzam for out-of-the-box entertainment — think actors in rat costumes serving a cheese platter, says Mary Giuliani, founder of the MGCE catering company. —The Editors, Curbed, 16 Apr. 2026

In the Season 3 premiere of the HBO series, which aired April 12, Cassie argues with her fiancé, Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi), over her plans to make content on the platform while wearing a skin‑baring dog costume. —Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026

Verb

The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes. —Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026

To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism. —Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026

Adjective

Donating jewelry—whether costume or fine pieces—is always welcome at the thrift stores and remains a favorite among shoppers. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 Apr. 2026

There are also costume sketches, props and behind-the-scenes looks. —Alyson Rodriguez, Dallas Morning News, 19 Mar. 2026

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