couture

noun cou·ture \ kü-ˈtu̇r , -ˈtᵫr \

Updated on: 21 May 2018

1 : the business of designing, making, and selling fashionable custom-made women's clothing

the world of Paris couture

2 : the designers and establishments engaged in couture

dresses made by the couture

3 : the clothes created by couture

The actress was wearing couture.

See couture defined for English-language learners

Examples of couture in a Sentence

The book discusses the relationship between culture and couture.
I can't afford to wear couture.

Recent Examples of couture from the Web

In a reorganization, Helpers closed the couture house, and with Cohen’s help, created job-training programs with the Pomeroy Recreation & Rehabilitation Center and the ARC San Francisco.

— carolyne zinko, San Francisco Chronicle, "Nonprofit Helpers sells off ‘eclectic treasures’ to assist disabled at estate sale," 17 May 2018
Meghan chose a dress made by the London couture house for her official engagement portraits, and the brand is known for its over-the-top wedding dresses.

— sarah lyall, BostonGlobe.com, "There’s a big wedding Saturday. Something about a prince marrying an American," 15 May 2018
Meghan chose a dress made by the London couture house for her official engagement portraits, and the brand is known for its over-the-top wedding dresses.

— caity weaver, The Seattle Times, "Wait, what’s this about a royal wedding?," 12 May 2018
While Romney may have saved money on his Brioni tuxedo, many stars seemed to spare no expense at the Gala — wearing an array of over-the-top couture designer duds, each more extravagant and elegant than the rest.

— dave quinn, PEOPLE.com, "Mitt Romney Got His Met Gala Tux on Amazon — Shop the Look Yourself," 8 May 2018
At left, a look from Viktor & Rolf’s Spring 2017 couture show.

— ray a. smith, WSJ, "Today’s Chic Look? ‘Upcycled’ Clothes," 14 Apr. 2018
Fans in close proximity and an expectation of couture on the carpet means that selfies are going to happen.

— meagan fredette, refinery29.com, "Cannes Bans Red Carpet Selfies For The Most French Reason Imaginable," 24 Mar. 2018
This week, digital entrepreneur and Buro 24/7 cofounder Miroslava Duma came under fire for posting an offensive card from Russian couture designer Ulyana Sergeenko.

— alisha acquaye, Teen Vogue, "How Beauty Brands Are Profiting Off Racism," 26 Jan. 2018
With this look, though, Kylie is set for a summer somewhere near the south of France with this more refined couture swimsuit.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Kylie Jenner Wears a Vintage Dior Swimsuit," 2 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'couture.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of couture

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1908

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year