costume 1 of 3

1
as in clothes
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

costume

2 of 3

verb

costume

3 of 3

adjective

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of costume
Noun
That became a principle for KJ and the writers, and for directors and costume people and set people. Maer Roshan, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2025 The character who undergoes the most costume changes on Salusa Secundus is Princess Ynez Corrino (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina), the daughter of the Emperor (Mark Strong) and bride in the aforementioned wedding. Andrew McGowan, Variety, 12 Aug. 2025
Verb
For lovers of both Halloween and Old Hollywood, there's no better costume. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025 Krewes being the social organizations whose members build floats and create costumes and host the parades, parties and galas that make up Mardi Gras, but also holidays like Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Jenny Adams, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The show then cut to the host and his sidekick, Guillermo Rodriguez, backstage, costumed as a tiger and a banana, respectively. Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025 Whelan said that a costuming Easter egg in the play pays tribute to original Love Boat captain Gavin MacLeod. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
  • Evening separates — ballgowns, cashmere sweaters, taffeta skirts and tops — as well as dresses are familiar territory for Stolman.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Madonna appeared at the Saint Laurent show during Paris Fashion Week in a sheer black lace midi dress and cropped black leather jacket.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Shop the Laneige lip mask that editors and celebrities both use, plus the Covergirl lip gloss that plumped up Kelsea Ballerini’s pout during a PEOPLE photoshoot.
    Alyssa Grabinski, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Gossip fed the frenzy of the Salem Witch Trials and has been the subtext of one too many fables where mischief masks moral rot.
    Oriel FeldmanHall, Time, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 35-year-old donned a little black dress clad with a jeweled neck-piece.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The man was fully clothed, wearing a hoodie and jeans, and had a phone in his pocket, the assistant principal said.
    David Ferrara, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Video shows the moment an officer in camouflage and tactical gear approaches an individual, after which another officer tackles the person, restrains them with plastic handcuffs, and leads them away.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • The listing says the 4×4 has previously spent time finished in black and camouflage, but is currently sporting a pleasing coat of silver and rides on a matching set of eight-lug 17-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Scorpio BK tires.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His image was captured on a trail camera mounted in the driveway, attired in camouflage, an AR-15-style semiautomatic assault rifle strapped to his chest.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Ellen returns to Beltane and dons her May Queen attire and performs her duties alongside Malcolm at the fire ceremony.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • Astylish Ruffled Gingham Button-Down Shirt Ruffled trim gives this gingham button-down shirt a dressy touch.
    Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • Think formfitting denim pantsuits with oversize patch pockets stretching past the bottom hem; jeans with raw, unfinished hemlines, or dressy, slightly masculine shirts reconfigured as wrap tops to be layered under cropped cardigans.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The garb is ostentatious for sure and gives out cabana wear vibes, but there's no better time for a skeleton to take a tropical vacation getaway than Halloween, right?
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Hubbell, who appeared in court in red jail garb, will remain in the county lockup.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The cases range from political agitators seeking to intimidate immigrants to others using the guise of authority to allegedly kidnap, rob or assault victims.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Also bear in mind that while these benchmark results above outline one optimal implementation of the X2 family, that won’t be the only guise that these chips show up in, by far.
    Wendy Sheehan Donnell, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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