costumes 1 of 2

Definition of costumesnext
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

Relevance
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
Entertainers and guests’ costumes alike were incredible. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 The show’s costumes were later refined after initial backlash to early images shared by Murphy. Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026 Like their creativity, in terms of costumes. Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026 The gang used costumes and comic book code names like Batman and Robin and tried to stage an accident to kidnap Schiller. Troy Roberts, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026 The interactive Global Fan Experience, which will be open on April 11 and 12, will also include costumes from the movie, which stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the controversial singer. K.j. Yossman, Variety, 8 Apr. 2026 The annual Fanti Carnival saw elaborate processions with participants dressed in vibrant costumes, musical and masquerade performances, and dancing stilt walkers. Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 8 Apr. 2026 Jenner has raised the bar on her Halloween costumes, managing to level up her looks each and every year. Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026 The person hired to fabricate these cute animal costumes was Bill Scollon. John Haddad, The Conversation, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
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 Those costumes from the original Broadway production, including the Schuyler sisters’ winter ball gowns, Hamilton, Jefferson and Burr’s suits, as well as King George’s outfit, are all featured among the exhibit, too. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 5 Nov. 2025 Here are five tips for creating last-minute DIY KPop Demon Hunters Halloween costumes. Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025 Party City Halloween costumes 2025 Customers can shop for the family or office party in a few clicks and have orders delivered through DoorDash. Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 22 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costumes
Noun
  • The high-wattage crowd, dressed in luxe silk dresses and luminous pinstripe suits for the high-fashion event, included the likes of Martha Stewart, Allison Williams, Oscar Isaac, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson — a mix of longtime admirers, friends and newer fans of the luxury fashion brand.
    Anna Tingley, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Those just popping in for lunch tend to flaunt flowing two-piece sets, bohemian maxi dresses, or casual chinos and button downs.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • San Francisco’s Jonathan Carver Moore is offering small pieces by Demond Melancon representing colorful masks that recall classical African examples, created in glass beads and rhinestones on canvas, priced at $8,000.
    Brian Boucher, ARTnews.com, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Second car may be involved with shooting Investigators say surveillance video showed a small dark SUV pull up to 60th and Market before three individuals — believed to be men wearing masks — got out and opened fire directly at the young woman.
    Joe Brandt, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Performers include such classic Bay Area punk outfits as No Alternative, The Sleepers, Society Dog, The Dead Sailor Girls and many more.
    Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The girls’ outfits got smaller, the characters’ infighting nastier, the criminal element more brutal, the camerawork flashier, the series’ balance of all this more tenuous.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Costumes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costumes. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on costumes

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster