costume 1 of 3

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

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
The costume was designed by Adrian Adolph Greenburg, who went by Gilbert Adrian professionally, and became the one used in the film after an original was deemed not menacing enough. Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 10 Nov. 2025 During the Halloween event, Hilton took to the stage to perform during the open mic portion of the costume party. Kelsie Gibson, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025 See Halloween costumes through the decades. Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 17 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
  • In it, the woman is wearing the then-modern attire of Viennese society, donning a white-and-blue dress and robe; the background, meanwhile, is full of East Asian motifs, representing Klimt’s fondness of Chinese and Japanese artifacts.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025
  • The latest restock is full of pieces ideal for both casual plans and upcoming holiday parties, including sweater dresses, knit blazers, full-zip hoodies, and comfy pants starting at just $15.
    Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • White noise machines and humidifiers are frequently available, along with extra blankets, air purifiers, and blackout curtains or sleep masks.
    Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Philips’ mask popped off her head and Canadian winger Emma Maltais still fired a shot at the net, just missing Philips.
    Michael Russo, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Hardwood floors harmonize with dark wood furnishings and wicker accents, alongside bathrooms clad in custom Portuguese azulejos-style tiles.
    Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 5 Nov. 2025
  • He was found by a passerby in an alley on Pennsylvania Road, bleeding from the head and only partially clothed.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The elder Ciattarelli slapped his forward with his right hand as his son, dressed in camouflage fatigues, approached for a hug.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 3 Nov. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • 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
  • 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
  • The structured yet flexible design fits all your daily essentials and looks elegant with casual or dressy outfits alike.
    Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 11 Nov. 2025
  • To further encourage the dressy approach, the duo is exploring new categories.
    Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • The barely believable but entirely true story saw gay rights activists trick their way into the Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, London by dressing plainly and conservatively – one even went as far as dressing as nun, while another donned the garbs of a bishop.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 Nov. 2025
  • Some teenage girls in matching hoodies chatted near the baggage claim carousel, and a group in traditional Orthodox Jewish garb congregated on the curb outside terminal 3.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • In this guise, Saverino is breathless with excitement.
    Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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