costume

1 of 3

noun

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

costume

2 of 3

verb

cos·​tume kä-ˈstüm 

-ˈstyüm,

 also  käs-ˈchüm;

 or  ˈkä-ˌst(y)üm,

or

ˈkäs-ˌchüm 

or

-stəm 

costumed; costuming

transitive verb

1

: to provide with a costume

2

: to design costumes for

costume a play

costume

3 of 3

adjective

cos·​tume ˈkä-ˌstüm 

-ˌstyüm,

 also  -stəm,

 or  ˈkäs-ˌchüm

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

Noun

• drag
• dress
• garb
• getup
• guise
• outfit
• togs

Verb

• apparel
• array
• attire
• bedeck
• caparison
• clothe
• deck (out)
• do up
• dress
• dress up
• enrobe
• garb
• garment
• get up
• gown
• habit
• invest
• rig (out)
• robe
• suit
• tog (up or out)
• toilet
• vesture

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

Noun

For Reed, having his first custom costume appear on screen has been a dream come true. —Emily Chan, Vogue, 19 Aug. 2024

In this case, ketchup and mustard were a perfect pairing for Deadpool and Wolverine’s signature red and yellow costumes, respectively. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2024

Verb

Of course, there’ll be plenty of Beetlejuice, Lydia and Astrid Halloween costumes for acing your All Hallow’s Eve looks. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Aug. 2024

Several of them rely on costuming to provide the visual gag — with Dafoe leading the charge. —Caitlin Chatterton, CNN, 2 July 2024

Adjective

Walden will feature scenic design by Matt Saunders, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Adam Honoré, and sound design by Lee Kinney. —Greg Evans, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2024

The play will feature scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Dede M. Ayite, lighting design by Amith Chandrashaker and sound design by Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen. —Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Italian, custom, dress, from Latin consuetudin-, consuetudo custom — more at custom

First Known Use

Noun

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing costume

• bathing costume
• costume drama
• costume jewelry
• in costume
• national costume
• swimming costume

Kids 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