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
He was raised by two theater majors — his mother's focus was costume design while his dad, Alan Barinholtz, studied acting and later went on to star as the judge in the 2023 reality show, Jury Duty. Julia Moore, People.com, 1 May 2025 Audiences expect costume epics to be beautiful and kinetic – flying swords, graceful choreography. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 June 2025
Verb
The costumes, too, are untextured photocopies of photocopies, making the Heathers all look like pieces on a Sorry! board, and the sets only gesture at the things they’re supposed to resemble. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 11 July 2025 The person who made this purple costume is called Emma from Empress Pro Wrestling Gear, in collaboration with me. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 July 2025
Adjective
Doing so entailed spending $150,000 in first-year start-up costs like costuming and sound equipment, creating everything from backing tracks to background visuals, booking 100-plus gigs and swiftly quitting her wealth management job. Leena Tailor, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025 The same goes for the dance numbers, which were costumed to the gods by Alejo Vietti. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
  • From breezy linen pants and matching sets to flowy maxi skirts and classic summer dresses, there’s something here for every type of trip—and prices start at just $23.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 22 July 2025
  • Responding to another market demand, Arvind has developed Ultra Soft Denim for super comfortable garments, particularly tops, skirts and dresses.
    SJ Studio, Sourcing Journal, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • After multiple rounds of testing, this sleep mask, now on sale for 31 percent off, earned a spot in our list of Best Sleep Masks due to its face-molding memory foam construction and adjustable strap.
    Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2025
  • Before, actors would in be suits and the actor would wear a giant mask so the Predator's mandibles and jaws were controlled by filmmakers.
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 26 July 2025
Verb
  • One wall is clad with posters of Denzel Washington, Janet Jackson and movies and shows.
    Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 19 July 2025
  • Four years later, also in Harper’s Weekly, Nast drew a donkey clothed in lion’s skin, scaring away all the animals at the zoo.
    Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Some squids will use camouflage or escape behaviors.
    Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 12 July 2025
  • Protesters were seen shouting at agents wearing camouflage gear, helmets and gas masks.
    CBS News, CBS News, 12 July 2025
Verb
  • Catmull enters attired in a black gown lined with sparkling contours that recall the sinuous figures of artist and designer Erté.
    Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
  • Beside him was Janet, his second wife, who was two decades younger and smartly attired in shades, a plaid sunhat, and a sleeveless blouse.
    Alec Nevala-Lee June 11, Literary Hub, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Lightweight, breathable, and breezy in all the right ways, these are the dressy bottoms that make sweltering days feel (almost) luxurious.
    Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 24 July 2025
  • Original price: $98 This polo from Peter Millar offers all the flexibility, moisture-wicking capabilities and odor-resistance of a golf polo, except with a dressy work-appropriate silhouette.
    Jené Luciani Sena, FOXNews.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • His mother-in-law, dressed in traditional garb, had traveled in from Liberia for the event.
    Hannah Dreyfus, AZCentral.com, 5 July 2025
  • Alcaraz came out looking the part in garb not dissimilar to the great Roger Federer’s whiter than white cardigan range.
    Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Pumping out 434-hp in its Japan-spec guise, the last A90 Supra was priced in its home country at 15 million yen or around $101,000.
    Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
  • Renowned for a distinct sense of minimalism, the new Ming 20.01 series 5 guise is anything but.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 14 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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