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
Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Set and costume designer Tony Walton was married to Julie Andrews and was the magic behind some of the biggest shows on Broadway.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
There are animatronic dragons poking out of their little homes, walk-around dragons created with a bit of puppetry and costuming magic, and dragons that appear to walk and move completely on their own.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
In a 2022 interview with Today, Ricci shared that costume fittings were some of her least favorite days on set because of the constant scrutiny surrounding her looks.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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.
Noun
After completing his education, Yi Ming worked as a film and TV stylist, fitting and styling costumes and clothes for actors.
—Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025
Set and costume designer Tony Walton was married to Julie Andrews and was the magic behind some of the biggest shows on Broadway.
—Richard Johnson, New York Daily News, 20 Apr. 2025
Verb
Wang and her team accounted for that in numerous ways, from the episode’s lighting to costuming and cinematography choices.
—Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 15 Apr. 2025
There are animatronic dragons poking out of their little homes, walk-around dragons created with a bit of puppetry and costuming magic, and dragons that appear to walk and move completely on their own.
—Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
For years, people have wondered how actors (and writers, directors, editors, composers, costume designers, and so forth) make the time to see all the movies up for nomination each year when they’re expected to continue doing their jobs during awards season.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
In a 2022 interview with Today, Ricci shared that costume fittings were some of her least favorite days on set because of the constant scrutiny surrounding her looks.
—Toria Sheffield, People.com, 20 Apr. 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 30 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share