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
cos·tume
kä-ˈstüm
-ˈstyüm,
also käs-ˈchüm;
or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or
-stəm
costumed; costuming
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
Chris Lau, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Accessorize: Shop 7-Eleven's special Birthday Collection, including T-shirts and Slurpee costumes online at 7Collection.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Producers provide guidance on costuming for early auditions, and later provide outfits
During the early auditions, producers provide wardrobe guidance for contestants.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 July 2025
As the years stretched on, Walker’s tenacity would land her work under major styling players and even costume designers like Rachel Johnson and Arianne Phillips.
—Essence, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
Traditional makeup routines typically require actors to paint their faces red and white and spend time dressing in elaborate costumes and flashy headpieces.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 14 July 2025
Accessorize: Shop 7-Eleven's special Birthday Collection, including T-shirts and Slurpee costumes online at 7Collection.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 12 July 2025
Verb
Meanwhile, the founding designer continues to dedicate himself to costume design for top theater and opera companies across Europe, in addition to designing the Desigual x M. Christian Lacroix line.
—Miles Socha, Footwear News, 2 July 2025
Producers provide guidance on costuming for early auditions, and later provide outfits
During the early auditions, producers provide wardrobe guidance for contestants.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 24 June 2025
Adjective
On the production side, give major credit to production designer Beth Mickle, cinematographer Henry Braham and costume designer Judiana Makovsky, all regulars for the Gunn films.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 8 July 2025
As the years stretched on, Walker’s tenacity would land her work under major styling players and even costume designers like Rachel Johnson and Arianne Phillips.
—Essence, 18 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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