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

Indian star couturier and Bollywood costume designer Manish Malhotra made his debut on the Paris couture calendar this season. — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 10 July 2026

One of my favorite parts of writing this newsletter was browsing our library of Peachtree Road Race photos and reliving the joy, determination, crowd energy and all the creative costumes. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 10 July 2026

Verb

Stewart recounted New York’s enthusiastic reaction to the Knicks winning, including the appearance of multiple Spider-Man costumes, a dancing MTA bus driver, and a drum line. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026

Indeed, Green throws off a kind of 1970s Wonder Woman vibe at times, especially given how she is costumed by Theresa Ham, and that adds to the fun. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Adjective

Russian strikes also damaged Kyiv’s Oleksandr Dovzhenko National Film Studio, which holds the country’s largest and oldest costume collection. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 June 2026

For their imaginative daring, co-directors Zhailon Levingston and Bill Rauch were justly honored as were costume designer Qween Jean and choreographers Omari Wiles and Arturo Lyons, among the production’s notable awards. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 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