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
The panel conversations will include actors, casting directors, cinematographers, composers, costume designers, directors, editors, hair stylists, makeup artists, producers, production designers, prosthetics designers, visual effects producers, and writers. The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025 The many costume changes resulted in a lengthier shoot than usual. Christian Allaire, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
The costume department presented him with an array of options, but nothing felt quiet right, leading producers to design a pair of custom shades with input from the actor. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025 Among its nine Emmys were wins for contemporary costumes, production design, casting, music supervision, picture editing, sound, and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for recurring cast member Bryan Cranston. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The family-friendly version of Vail — featuring ski-through attractions like the Dragon’s Breath Mine and costumed characters like Jackrabbit Joe and Sourdough Pete — debuted soon after. Greg Glasgow, Denver Post, 12 Aug. 2025 Additionally, these two key innovators are deeply committed to showcasing their limitless potential through garb and costuming. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
  • Maple and Francesca each opted for dresses, with the former donning a semi-sheer black number and the latter choosing a silky brown slip dress matching her father's color palette.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Another look worn by the YouTuber includes a unique jersey polo mini dress priced at $139 paired with the Good Ease leopard jeans, which retail for $188.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Color Wow Dreaming Advanced Repair & Resurfacing Treatment Fried hair was revived once this reparative mask worked its magic.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Earlier this year, Peck took off his signature mask to play the Emcee.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The counterprotesters stationed themselves on the first floor in the center of the City Hall rotunda while the police union marched in circles above them around the second-floor atrium outside the mayor's office, clad in black MPA T-shirts.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For starters, hundreds of fans clad in Chiefs gear and bearing signs greeted them with various degrees of giddiness as the team passed through customs late Wednesday night.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That messaging is camouflage, according to Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a national network of Jewish groups.
    Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Before the explosion of survival games, Snake Eater featured systems for healing your wounds, eating food to regain stamina, and swapping outfits for camouflage.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The authors propose a new model that places attire alongside the face, body, context and viewer traits, revealing that dress influences judgments of social identity, mental state, status and aesthetic taste.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The trio are decked out in Kansas City Chiefs attire in support of the star tight end's team.
    Sarah Jones, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But this time, Singer has gone down in size with an unusual gloss lacquer departure imbued with a dressy twist.
    Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The cardigan is versatile for casual and dressy occasions alike.
    Isabel Garcia, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This is the lesson that is as old as digital transformations themselves, now dressed in the garb of a new tech.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Guides dress in period garb and spin sinister tales of spirits trapped between worlds.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As good as the car looks, especially in its open-top Volante guise, the real story can be found underneath its hood.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, palladium in a jar connected to nuclear fusion is being revived but in a different guise.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

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