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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in costumey
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of costume
Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
What with its Charli xcx soundtrack and historically inaccurate latex costumes, Emily Brontë purists may opt to swerve a Valentine’s weekend viewing slot.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
So, a day after Halloween, there were costume changes in hopes of a program makeover.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Shut out by motion picture academy voters, the musical sequel could only manage two nominations — costume design and hair and makeup — with BAFTA.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
What with its Charli xcx soundtrack and historically inaccurate latex costumes, Emily Brontë purists may opt to swerve a Valentine’s weekend viewing slot.
—Olivia Allen, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
In it, Oldham costumes up as a shaggy woodland monster, which—after a more nimble inhabitant seemingly swaps into the outfit—proceeds to engage a human in an elaborate dance routine.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 7 Jan. 2026
The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room.
—Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Adjective
While attending a costume party on Halloween, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor posed for a picture with Happy Death Day actress Rachel Lynn Matthews.
—Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Nov. 2025
So, a day after Halloween, there were costume changes in hopes of a program makeover.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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Colonialism affects every aspect of life, from language to religion, from dress to traditions, and those legacies don’t necessarily disappear after an oppressor is ousted.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Jan. 2026
-
While on the runway the dress was blue and black with a trompe-l’œil design, Robbie’s look leaned into more Victorian-era flourishes, with a laced strapless bodice and an onyx and scarlet red gradient petal skirt, striking colors which borrowed from other styles in the show.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Taylor stepped out yesterday evening for the New York premiere of The Rip, wearing a sheer black dress with an ultra-high neckline and mask-like sheath across her face by Ashi Studio.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
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The complaint says King returned to the apartment the next day, wearing a mask and again asking about Toney.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The woman is fully clothed in all three photos and her face is blacked out.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Jan. 2026
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The theme continues in the restaurant and its adjacent terrace, also clad in plants and furnished with cozy banquettes.—
Gisela Williams,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Never one to get too costumey, however, Hadid gave the look an edge with her styling.—
Hannah Jackson,
Vogue,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Agents wearing camouflage vests were seen going in and out of the warehouse.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
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The vehicle, as tends to be the case with teases like this, is covered in a camouflage wrap, its still possible to make out some intriguing details.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Photos from airports reviewed by USA TODAY from the USA TODAY Network, Reuters and Getty Images taken during the holiday travel season showed that flyers were largely attired in outfits ranging from casual to business casual.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
30 Dec. 2025
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Turkey Trot events The S3 Turkey Trot, which includes three race options, features thousands of participants attired in costumes ahead of the Nov. 27 parade.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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They’re tailored with a wide-leg silhouette, giving them a slightly dressy vibe while still offering plenty of lift and curve support.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
25 Jan. 2026
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For an afternoon event, tea-length (something that falls around midcalf) is expected for women in dressy day fabrics (silk, organza, cotton with some sheen), while daytime suits are expected for men (in gray, black or navy fabrics with no sheen).—
Judith Martin,
Sun Sentinel,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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On Friday Mangione arrived at court unshackled in his tan prison garb.—
Lorena O’Neil,
Rolling Stone,
30 Jan. 2026
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Gregersen and Kåss nail the aesthetics, music – Britney Spears – and garb of the aughts.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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