cos·tume
ˈkä-ˌstüm 
-ˌstyüm,
also -stəm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
1
: the prevailing fashion in coiffure, jewelry, and apparel of a period, country, or class
2
: an outfit worn to create the appearance characteristic of a particular period, person, place, or thing
Halloween costumes
3
: a person's ensemble of outer garments
especially
: a woman's ensemble of dress with coat or jacket
costumey
adjective
cos·tume
kä-ˈstüm
-ˈstyüm,
also käs-ˈchüm;
or ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,
or
ˈkäs-ˌchüm
or
-stəm
costumed; costuming
1
: characterized by the use of costumes
a costume ball
a costume drama
2
: suitable for or enhancing the effect of a particular costume
a costume handbag
Synonyms
Examples of costume in a Sentence
Noun
children in their Halloween costumes
a formal 18th-century Japanese costume
Verb
the days when people, costumed in their Sunday best, would parade along the grand avenue on Easter
Adjective
You're invited to a costume party!
Recent Examples on the Web
Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
Last night at the Zanuck Theater on the Fox Lot in Los Angeles, the film screened for the first time in front of an audience with Mangold, as well as stars Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and production designer François Audouy all in attendance.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024
Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2024
The captain of the Disney Treasure is Voyager Minnie, a version of the character that is specially costumed for the cruise ship.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
There were also about 400 costume donations for people to choose from.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume 
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Noun
Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent Productions is a coproducer on the film, and many of the costumes came from Vaccarello’s archives.
—Leigh Nordstrom, WWD, 21 Nov. 2024
Last night at the Zanuck Theater on the Fox Lot in Los Angeles, the film screened for the first time in front of an audience with Mangold, as well as stars Elle Fanning and Monica Barbaro, costume designer Arianne Phillips, and production designer François Audouy all in attendance.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 21 Nov. 2024
Verb
Burke's criticism extended to most aspects of the penultimate episode of the long-running reality competition program's recent season: from costuming, to music, to the video packages used to introduce each dance, to the dances themselves.
—Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2024
The captain of the Disney Treasure is Voyager Minnie, a version of the character that is specially costumed for the cruise ship.
—Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 20 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Sydney. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Bode Aujla, a downtown darling, fashioned Ariana Grande a Glinda in her hip, kitschy image without veering into costume territory.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
There were also about 400 costume donations for people to choose from.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume
Dictionary Entries Near costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
costume
1 of 2 noun
cos·tume
ˈkäs-ˌt(y)üm
1
: the style of clothing, ornaments, and hair characteristic of a certain period, region, or class
ancient Roman costume
peasant costume
2
: special or fancy dress (as for wear on the stage or at a masquerade party)
3
: a person's outer clothing
costume
adjective
costume
2 of 2 verb
costumed; costuming
: to provide with a costume
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