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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of costume
Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Fans pointed out that Trudeau's shark suit appeared to be nearly identical in color and style to the costumes worn by Perry's performers.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
An intimate, spine-tingling evening of creative conversations on horror, sound, prosthetics, and spectacle featuring Danny Elfman, Akela Cooper and Janelle’s costuming team Sasha Glasser and Alex Navarro.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
As this report explained, Miral has amassed its own team of industry experts who handle everything from costume creation and show design to operations and management.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Dancers in ornate pharaonic costumes -- crowned with golden headpieces and holding scepters -- performed to a live international orchestra, as fireworks and drones depicting ancient gods lit up the sky above.
—Ayat Al-Tawy, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2025
Fans pointed out that Trudeau's shark suit appeared to be nearly identical in color and style to the costumes worn by Perry's performers.
—Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2025
Verb
See Halloween costumes through the decades.
—Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025
An intimate, spine-tingling evening of creative conversations on horror, sound, prosthetics, and spectacle featuring Danny Elfman, Akela Cooper and Janelle’s costuming team Sasha Glasser and Alex Navarro.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The centerpiece of the night will be costume contests at various bars up and down the street, with finalists eligible to compete in the street-wide costume contest.
—Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 3 Oct. 2025
As this report explained, Miral has amassed its own team of industry experts who handle everything from costume creation and show design to operations and management.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
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Natasha opted for a brown strapless leather maxi dress, while her younger sister, Ella, wore a gray-and-white pinstripe blazer and skirt paired with a simple black shirt.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
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Her hair and camp dress still had some of the special paint used to transform the 11-year-old girl into Changing Woman, the Apache deity who was the first woman of her people, gifted with spiritual and physical power during the Sunrise Dance, one of the Apache people’s most enduring ceremonies.—
Shaun McKinnon,
AZCentral.com,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In his study of hypocrisy, the political theorist David Runciman argues that the real terror lies when the masks are gone.—
Shadi Hamid,
Time,
3 Nov. 2025
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Roughly 6 in 10 Americans (57%) say that ICE and Homeland Security agents should not be allowed to wear masks or face coverings while on duty, while about 4 in 10 (41%) say it should be allowed.—
Emily Guskin,
ABC News,
2 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The open main floor is clad in calming white oak, which has been used for custom built-ins that serve as functional yet design-forward storage spaces.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
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The emperor was not, in fact, clad in the finest suit.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Their first hypothesis was that the bats, which roost in leaf foliage during the summer, use the glow for camouflage.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
29 Oct. 2025
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Its camouflage exterior and heavy-duty features hide a refined interior that's ready for global adventures.—
Eileen Falkenberg-Hull,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Grammy-winning artist appeared at Madrid’s Gran Vía to reveal the official album artwork, a photograph of her in nuns attire against a baby-blue backdrop.—
Thania Garcia,
Variety,
20 Oct. 2025
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The secret venue, lighting and ambience are supplied by host Triple Pocket Events, but diners, attired entirely in white, must supply their own picnic meal, white tables, chairs, cloths, dishware, cutlery and French wine and champagne.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Eilish’s dressy footwear complemented a look from Miu Miu’s spring 2026 ready-to-wear collection, presented in Paris earlier this month and inspired by women’s work.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
30 Oct. 2025
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Spanx shapewear Spanx is known for its comfortable feel and sleek finish, ideal for special occasions and dressy outfits.—
Nora Colomer
may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom.,
FOXNews.com,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Rinderknecht appeared in court wearing white jail garb and a chain around his waist, but he was not handcuffed, per FOX 11.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
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Dancing spirits, dressed in Victorian-era garb, stir up devilry as the night unfolds.—
Abby Hamblin,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Several actors donned the iconic guise of Ghostface in the Scream franchise, but one of the most intriguing is Billy Loomis (Skeet Ulrich) in the original film.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
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In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
14 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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