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

Being confined to a wooden chair, wearing that impressive multilayered costume, in the intense heat of Gran Canaria. —Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Wear is a long-time costume designer and created many of the outfits the models wore. —Stephanie Ogilvie, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2026

Verb

The pas de deux between Billy and Kris is entrancingly sexy, and the film’s love relationship to movie magic is just as romantic, from Anderson’s grand-dame costuming to the matte paintings that serve as backdrops in both the film-within-the-film and the one containing it. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 May 2026

Three-time Academy Award and three-time BAFTA winning costume designer Sandy Powell is on board for costuming. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 11 May 2026

Adjective

The trio appeared to be dressed up for Halloween, with Louis wearing a costume cape and hat while Laila sat in Bullock's arms in a bright floral outfit. —ABC News, 10 May 2026

But four times the talent means four times the finery, which was costume designer Molly Rogers’ challenge. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 3 May 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