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
Relevance
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Her Prada plisse gown, with a drop waist cummerbund that fell into fringes of glass beads, was more the spirit of Art Deco – stately but uncompromising – then flapper costume from Spirit Halloween.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Dave Smith, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
With topics for designers, filmmakers, or fashion enthusiasts alike, this panel offers a lively look at how costume design enhances narrative, and continues to shape both cinema and everyday style.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Noun
Rogen then named behind-the-scenes staffers, including the cinematographer, the costume designer, props handler, the caterer and others.
—Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Her Prada plisse gown, with a drop waist cummerbund that fell into fringes of glass beads, was more the spirit of Art Deco – stately but uncompromising – then flapper costume from Spirit Halloween.
—Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
Approximately 10,000 people participated, including costumed Macy’s employees dressed as clowns, cowboys, knights, and other characters, along with floats depicting Mother Goose scenes, circus acts, professional bands, and live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2025
The company brought its famous mascot — the beloved Morton Salt Girl, who every year inspires who knows how many Halloween costumes.
—Kansas City Star, 13 Nov. 2025
Adjective
With Halloween being less than a week away, Thorne threw a costume party and elevated her look with a pair of lofty Versace heels.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2025
With topics for designers, filmmakers, or fashion enthusiasts alike, this panel offers a lively look at how costume design enhances narrative, and continues to shape both cinema and everyday style.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
-
At that event, Rhimes wore a black dress with mesh sleeves, posing arm-in-arm with her daughter, who opted for a black leather jacket and carried a black purse.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
-
This style of footwear is one the French practically live in, pairing them with tapered trousers and an oversized coat in the winter or with socks and a midi dress in spring.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Taylor stepped out yesterday evening for the New York premiere of The Rip, wearing a sheer black dress with an ultra-high neckline and mask-like sheath across her face by Ashi Studio.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
14 Jan. 2026
-
The complaint says King returned to the apartment the next day, wearing a mask and again asking about Toney.—
Tom Olsen,
Twin Cities,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
From statement kitchen islands clad in marble effect porcelain to entryway floors where guests can keep their shoes on without the guilt, this material delivers practicality and style in several spaces within a home.—
Nomita Vaish-Taylor,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
In one shot from the campaign, Hailey also sits in a large chest of drawers, painting her toenails while clad in her Victoria's Secret lingerie.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Right after the holidays, the tween posted TikTok videos of her wearing the statement necklace with a blue camouflage jacket, black pleated skirt and a bright blue wig.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
5 Jan. 2026
-
But hemagglutinin isn't just protein; the protein becomes partly covered in sugar molecules borrowed from the host cell (known as glycosylation), which act as a type of camouflage for the virus.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Turkey Trot events The S3 Turkey Trot, which includes three race options, features thousands of participants attired in costumes ahead of the Nov. 27 parade.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Best sparkly spring wedding-guest dresses Metallic embellishment is inherently dressy and festive, and therefore ideal for a wedding ceremony followed by an after-hours party.—
Alison Syrett Cleary,
Glamour,
6 Jan. 2026
-
They’re tailored with a wide-leg silhouette, giving them a slightly dressy vibe while still offering plenty of lift and curve support.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Mangione wore prison garb to the hearing — his first time back in federal court since his arraignment last year — and his hands were not in handcuffs during the proceedings.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mom is loving, though capable of doling out her affection in both tough and nurturing ways, and owns more than one piece of Lululemon garb.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Skechers shoes boast a low-profile silhouette, plus a slip-on design despite their lace-up guise.—
Kyra Surgent,
InStyle,
30 Dec. 2025
-
Approved by The Boss himself, the live-music and storytelling show finds Azaria slipping into his best Springsteen guise for a night of gruff tales and greatest hits.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 15 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
