Synonyms of costume

costume 1 of 3

noun

ˈkä-ˌstüm 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• dress
• clothes
• attire
• garb
• outfit
• getup
• togs
• apparel
• guise
• style
• drag
• raiment
• mode
• duds
• vestments
• habiliment(s)
• fashion
• array
• caparison

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

• mask
• camouflage
• guise
• disguise
• dress
• veil
• paint
• visor
• coloring
• makeup
• costumery
• outfit
• getup
• rig
• domino
• cosmetic
• vizard

costume

2 of 3

verb

kä-ˈstüm 

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

• dress
• clothe
• attire
• gown
• garment
• apparel
• garb
• toilet
• suit
• habit
• deck (out)
• rig (out)
• array
• robe
• drape
• wrap
• jacket
• dress up
• get up
• bedeck
• vesture
• uniform
• outfit
• tog (up or out)
• enrobe
• caparison
• cloak
• vest
• frock
• invest
• do up
• mantle
• furnish
• tailor
• swaddle
• equip
• huddle
• dress down
• swathe
• hap
• bedight
• accoutre
• enswathe
• underdress
• habilitate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• strip
• undress
• disarray
• disrobe
• unclothe
• uncover
• untruss
• divest
• unveil
• denude
• undrape

costume

3 of 3

adjective

as in costumey

Related Words

• dress
• costumey
• dressy
• formal
• fashionable
• stylish
• chic
• dapper
• in
• natty
• evening
• modish
• fitted
• tailored
• smart
• white-tie
• black-tie
• snappy
• custom-made
• semiformal
• sharp

Dissimilar Words

• informal
• casual
• street
• sporty
• unfashionable
• outmoded
• dowdy
• sportif
• untidy
• sloppy
• slovenly
• unkempt
• wrinkled
• grungy
• messy
• rumpled
• disheveled
• styleless
• mussy
• frowsy
• unstylish
• sloven

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of costume

Noun

At what point do these personas stop getting hung up with the costumes at the end of the night? — Alessandra Schade, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026

Don’t miss wearable glass costumes, an interactive botanical soundscape, glowing geometric light sanctuaries, and works by Dale Chihuly and other modern masters. — Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 28 Oct. 2026

Verb

After the vocal chorus, Astaire sees an apparition—Pan, costumed in Halloween drag. — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026

Debicki is presenting an award to costume designer Trish Summerville. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 16 Oct. 2026

Adjective

There was a costume parade featuring 38 corgis in diverse outfits including a dinosaur suit, a dress and doggy sports gear. — ABC News, 16 Aug. 2026

With a costume department that resembles something of a militia itself. — Christina Perrier, InStyle, 30 July 2026