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

Noun

• drag
• dress
• garb
• getup
• guise
• outfit
• togs

Verb

• apparel
• array
• attire
• bedeck
• caparison
• clothe
• deck (out)
• do up
• dress
• dress up
• enrobe
• garb
• garment
• get up
• gown
• habit
• invest
• rig (out)
• robe
• suit
• tog (up or out)
• toilet
• vesture

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

The costume designers even made game-changing advancements on the fly, especially for vital restroom visits. —Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 17 May 2025

One highlight not to be missed is the human-sized Choupette costume sported by Jared Leto at the 2023 Met Gala, where the dress code honored the late couturier. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 16 May 2025

Verb

Playing out on a New Orleans street set designed more or less as a cartoon by David Rockwell, its pirates costumed by Linda Cho in ragamuffin seafaring garb that nonetheless allows for the odd pleasing splash of color, Pirates! —Greg Evans, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

Ben Affleck opened up about the difficulties of costuming during his tenure as Batman, giving GQ a detailed breakdown on the physically draining experience of wearing a Batsuit. —J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 18 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Though some may believe a costume designers job is to make the physical suits and dresses seen on screen, typically most of their time is spent directing others. —Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 13 May 2025

Janelle Monáe Janelle Monáe shows up in the illusion of a business suit before revealing a real red-and-black suit (a collaboration between Thom Browne and costume designer Paul Tazewell), accessorizing with a monocle and bowler hat, a Marie Lichtenberg ring and a Vacheron Constantin watch. —Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025

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