couture

1 of 2

noun

cou·​ture kü-ˈtu̇r  -ˈtᵫr 

1

: the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made clothing

the world of Paris couture

2

: the designers and establishments engaged in couture

For more than a century, the couture was the undisputed fashion source for women in the Western world.

—Bernadine Morris

3

: the clothes created by couture

For them, buying French couture has become a status symbol, something to rack up along with their brand-new BMWs and their hacienda-style villas …

—Vogue

couture

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being high-end custom-made fashion

Neither are these designers unduly concerned about styles that lend themselves to being folded and packed—the couture clientele travels with trunks, not duffel bags, and, presumably, there is always someone on the other end to take care of the wrinkles.

—Bernadine Morris

However, Owens credits his success to the ease of what he calls his "T-shirt versions of couture dresses."

—David Colman

Examples of couture in a Sentence

Noun

The book discusses the relationship between culture and couture.

I can't afford to wear couture.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Look beyond the couture outfits and outlandish costumes to see how this fundraiser for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute’s annual spring exhibition revived racial segregation, using the museum’s traditional setting as a standard of approval — and control. —Armond White, National Review, 9 May 2025

Del Rey’s dress was black Valentino couture, and, at first glance, the star of the show was the oversized bow at the shoulder, which also included an eye-catching feather detail. —Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 7 May 2025

Adjective

Focus showed a sneak peek of its brand-new trailer for Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, a whimsical, heartwarming comedy starring Lesley Manville as a British housekeeper whose dream of owning a couture Christian dress and travels to Paris. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Apr. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Old French cousture sewing, from Vulgar Latin *consutura, from Latin consutus, past participle of consuere to sew together, from com- + suere to sew — more at sew

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1916, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing couture

• haute couture

Rhymes for couture

• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour
• demure
• detour
• endure
• ensure