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
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
Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
In season six, when Amy and Sheldon compile a list of potential couples’ costumes to wear for a party, one is Blossom and Joey.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The narrative takes ever wilder turns, the glamour verges on gaudy and Emily’s hats really couldn’t get any bigger or floppier (the ace costuming is by Renee Ehrlich Kalfus).
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
At the same time, his team scoured costume houses in Italy, London and Madrid for both repertoire costumes and to initiate collaborations on new ones.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
In July 2024 fans noticed that the black-and-gold costume Swift wore for an Eras Tour show in Milan was very Reputation-coded.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
In season six, when Amy and Sheldon compile a list of potential couples’ costumes to wear for a party, one is Blossom and Joey.
—Marc Berman, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Verb
Being both the host and musical guest on SNL is never easy; however, Gaga’s highly choreographed and costumed performance style seemed like an especially tall order.
—Rosa Escandon, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025
The narrative takes ever wilder turns, the glamour verges on gaudy and Emily’s hats really couldn’t get any bigger or floppier (the ace costuming is by Renee Ehrlich Kalfus).
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Lean into the theme with baggy overalls, cow-print skirts, straw hats, and cowboy boots; the picks below fit the bill without veering too far into costume territory.
—Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 18 Mar. 2025
At the same time, his team scoured costume houses in Italy, London and Madrid for both repertoire costumes and to initiate collaborations on new ones.
—Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 5 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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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