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
Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Her childhood photo in a Daphne costume suggests the character has been special to her for much of her life.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
History buffs will enjoy seeing how real events affect our fictional characters, and vintage fashion enthusiasts will love the immaculate costuming.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Jan. 2026
Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Although the film is an adaptation, the idea to use millinery to help build the mythical court dress of Migal Bavel was costume designer Susie Coulthard’s idea.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
That Tânia Maria also recently starred in humorous local commercials for Burger King and Heineken is proof of her current status in Brazilian pop culture — as are the Dona Sebastiana costumes that have become popular during this year’s Carnival.
—Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Her childhood photo in a Daphne costume suggests the character has been special to her for much of her life.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
The leading actor sourced and supplied personal pieces for both projects, and approaches costuming as a shorthand into showcasing his characters’ personality.
—Kristen Tauer, Footwear News, 29 Jan. 2026
History buffs will enjoy seeing how real events affect our fictional characters, and vintage fashion enthusiasts will love the immaculate costuming.
—Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Jan. 2026
Adjective
In Milan, suits are never costume.
—Alejandro Badia, Footwear News, 20 Jan. 2026
Although the film is an adaptation, the idea to use millinery to help build the mythical court dress of Migal Bavel was costume designer Susie Coulthard’s idea.
—Leah Dolan, CNN Money, 5 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
-
Manuel then slipped into a stark white dress overflowing with ruffles and shrugged on a matching lace shawl with long fringing over it—all key elements to bringing his hypnotizing moves to life.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
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Dots, a brand hallmark, are another recurring motif, both thanks to holes knit into chunky sweaters and paillettes stitched onto delicate, straight-as-an-arrow slip dresses.—
Nicole Phelps,
Vogue,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
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That ruling paved the way for federal immigration officials to continue wearing masks during California operations.—
Nathaniel Percy,
Daily News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Ryan Coogler‘s hit vampire thriller won three bronze masks at the British awards ceremony, held at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Firelight stretched across the line of worshippers as most clutched small candles clad in a paper holder that donned a short message.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
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Any Milanese commuters not wearing fur coats were instead clad in wool coats extending past their knees.—
Amelia Arvesen,
Outside,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The white trim along the front buttons and sleeve hems gives it a vintage feel without being costumey.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Feb. 2026
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Speaking of styling tricks to steal, the foppish ties that almost looked like silk scarves or ribbons at the Yohji Yamamoto show would be a good alternative for women who want some kind of necktie but think a traditional men’s tie reads too costumey.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Ball’s Hummer, which was wrapped in a camouflage pattern, continued to roll slowly as the sedan remained in the video's frame.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
19 Feb. 2026
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Forest camouflage is used for the majority of the upper, with the exception of its TPU heel stabilizer in forest green.—
Ian Servantes,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were identically attired, in a dark suit and dark glasses.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
13 Feb. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Their soft, silky fabric, combined with a cropped hem, adds chic elegance to any outfit, pairing well with any shoe and top, from dressy blouses and sandals for work to casual T-shirts and chunky sneakers for a quick coffee run.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
22 Feb. 2026
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Khaite is known for its best-selling boots and jeans, but Holstein tends to go experimental and dressy on the runway.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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So is, arguably in softer garb, the trend of trigger warnings, which—mirroring the grim cancer label on a pack of cigarettes—dull the impact of a product or dissuade users entirely by advising them that its consumption may be hazardous to their health.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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Living-history interpreters dressed in period garb will describe and demonstrate techniques used by both European settlers and indigenous peoples in our area during the 18th and 19th centuries.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
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