1
as in dress
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation
a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event
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2
as in mask
clothing put on to hide one's true identity or imitate someone or something else
Halloween costumes that caricature some of the "celebrities" created by the media over the past year
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as in to dress
to outfit with clothes and especially fine or special clothes
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costume
Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Perhaps more industry — as in, the MCU industrial complex — than science, the interactive exhibit promises rare comic books, costumes, props, statues of characters and drawing opportunities.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
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
Brendan Le, People.com, 6 May 2025
Some go all-out in their embrace of the theme, such as Lady Gaga in her elaborate pink ensemble (complete with costume changes) on a night honoring the excesses of camp.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Los Angeles Opera is staging a costume shop sale for the first time in more than a decade, and the public is invited.
—Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 26 May 2025
Perhaps more industry — as in, the MCU industrial complex — than science, the interactive exhibit promises rare comic books, costumes, props, statues of characters and drawing opportunities.
—Jennifer Day, Chicago Tribune, 23 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
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
Some go all-out in their embrace of the theme, such as Lady Gaga in her elaborate pink ensemble (complete with costume changes) on a night honoring the excesses of camp.
—Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 5 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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On May 22, the Princess of Wales joined Prince William in Scotland to visit the HMS Glasgow, sporting a Suzannah London coat dress new to her royal closet.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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The Zella In-flight Utility Dress, just $48, which doubles as a comfy travel day outfit or a dinner dress with statement earrings.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
23 May 2025
Noun
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If possible, work outside and wear a mask and gloves.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
24 May 2025
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To keep the cub from forming bonds with people that could jeopardize his return to the wild, staff members charged with his care are dressing up in bear costumes, including a mask, fur coat and leather gloves.—
Summer Lin,
Los Angeles Times,
24 May 2025
Verb
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Soaring ceilings, dual closets, and a bathroom clad on its walls, floor, and counters with Aglo Ceppo stone are highlights of the primary suite.—
Demetrius Simms,
Robb Report,
2 June 2025
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Ousmane Toure, clad in a PSG home shirt and accompanied by his girlfriend, Angeline, had watched the match along with 45,000 fellow fans on the big screens at the Parc des Princes, PSG’s home stadium, the night before.—
Tom Williams,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
Noun
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With windswept hair, a $50 camouflage jacket and sporty backpack, Princess Charlotte beamed into her mother’s iPhone camera during a family hike in Cumbria in northwest England earlier this year.—
Monique Jessen,
People.com,
8 May 2025
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The video had racked up more than 100,000 comments and reactions as of April 30, many noting his lack of shoes and that matching camouflage outfit.—
Mark Price,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Fisherman's Ring Once attired in his vestments, the pontiff returns to the Sistine Chapel and sits on a papal chair.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
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The next step is to get the new pope attired for his first public appearance.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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With three oversized bows at the front, this tweed shift dress is a dressy option for evening events.—
Jamie Allison Sanders,
People.com,
17 May 2025
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The straps—matching in either blue or pink—are also given an elevated, somewhat dressy finish that creates a pearlescent effect.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
21 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Cena came out wearing his Farewell Tour garb, but in Tampa Bay Buccaneers colors.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Miller traces how enslaved Africans were sometimes forced to dress in luxurious garb by their enslavers, turning them into walking advertisements of their owners' wealth.—
Michel Martin,
NPR,
5 May 2025
Noun
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This was a trouncing of historical proportions, the biggest margin of defeat in the history of the Champions League final, both in its current version and its previous guise as European Cup.—
Dan Cancian,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Newspapers, once only a platform to distribute daily happenings, are continuing to inspire, only in a different guise.—
Samantha Tse,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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