costumes 1 of 2

plural of costume
1
as in dresses
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in masks
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

costumes

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of costume

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 costumes
Noun
The battle of Karbala is known to every school Shia child in Iraq and Iran – re-enacted every year by participants in period costumes – often with horses and camels. Jane Arraf, NPR, 10 Aug. 2026 LARPing, or live-action role-playing, might conjure up visions of Dungeons & Dragons costumes and renaissance fairs. Rachel Hale, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026 The costumes and props were as big as the beats and grooves as the band powered through what was no doubt the most over-the-top theatrical event of the 2026 Outside Lands. Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026 Decked out in rainbow colors, Kotb embraced Hope and Haley Joy, who popped in their own colorful costumes. Diane J. Cho, PEOPLE, 9 Aug. 2026 Additionally, costume designer Charlese Antoinette Jones, who is also a Mauritian priestess, brought her expert-level knowledge of color and the spiritual culture to the costumes and set. Dominique Fluker, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 The sale gives bidders the chance to own costumes, props, personal archives and other rare memorabilia from some of the decade's most beloved television stars. Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Twenty years after costumes from the original The Devil Wears Prada were sold on eBay, clothes and accessories from the sequel are getting a somewhat grander treatment. Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026 The two figures, dressed in Delft blue and white costumes and each clutching a tulip, leaned toward one another for a kiss, in the style of pottery figurines that are a staple of tourist souvenir stores throughout the Netherlands. ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The night also saw modern iterations of court costumes from the 17th and 18th centuries. R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Seven days of building both the Ice King and Charlie the Unicorn costumes with much trial and error have culminated in her decision to go as the Ice King for the first day of San Diego Comic-Con. Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 24 July 2026 Stewart recounted New York’s enthusiastic reaction to the Knicks winning, including the appearance of multiple Spider-Man costumes, a dancing MTA bus driver, and a drum line. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026 The same girls who’d posted winking pop-culture-reference couples Halloween costumes a few years ago were now posting their toddlers in their own pop-culture-reference costumes. Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 To make that medicine go down easier, RAYE costumes her fatalism in a baroque maximalism. Boutayna Chokrane, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion. Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026 The room houses costumes for performances for the entire year, and there are about 40 years of costumes in the room. Najahe Sherman, CBS News, 22 Dec. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
  • And Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wears dresses and blouses embroidered by Indigenous artisans to honor their textile traditions.
    ABC News, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • As for the colorful accents by their side, the couple’s 12 bridesmaids all wore dresses in shades of green.
    Shelby Wax, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Jessica transforms the betrayal of a generation taught that work would protect them into visceral cinema, where illness cracks the skin while luxury masks collapse.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Divers wear blackout masks and practice rescuing themselves and fellow firefighters while operating without vision.
    Darius Johnson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Just because the season of courtside outfits and stadium style has slowed down doesn’t mean the sporty aesthetic has.
    Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 10 Aug. 2026
  • In the days that follow Michele quickly acquires numerous new outfits.
    John Ficarra, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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