costume 1 of 3

1
as in clothes
clothing chosen as appropriate for a specific situation a tuxedo is the only acceptable costume for men attending a formal event

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2
as in mask
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

costume

2 of 3

verb

costume

3 of 3

adjective

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 costume
Noun
The panel conversations will include actors, casting directors, cinematographers, composers, costume designers, directors, editors, hair stylists, makeup artists, producers, production designers, prosthetics designers, visual effects producers, and writers. The Deadline Team, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025 After spending time freelancing as a designer in New York and sketching costume ideas for Broadway productions, his return to Kansas City during the pandemic marked a turning point that brought new purpose and creative clarity. Kansas City Star, 12 July 2025
Verb
The costume department presented him with an array of options, but nothing felt quiet right, leading producers to design a pair of custom shades with input from the actor. Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025 Among its nine Emmys were wins for contemporary costumes, production design, casting, music supervision, picture editing, sound, and Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for recurring cast member Bryan Cranston. Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Additionally, these two key innovators are deeply committed to showcasing their limitless potential through garb and costuming. Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 6 Aug. 2025 Directed by Berry Gordy, scored by a soaring Diana Ross ballad, and costumed brilliantly, the film charts the rise of Tracy Chambers—a retail assistant by day and fashion design student by night from the South Side, who leaves behind the familiar to become a supermodel and designer in Rome. Shelton Boyd-Griffith, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for costume
Recent Examples of Synonyms for costume
Noun
  • The outlet published exclusive photos of Moretz's blue Louis Vuitton dress, as well as a video from the couple's fittings.
    Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Right on time, Target dropped a Fall Outfit Storefront filled with sweaters, dresses, shoes, and bags that make getting dressed easy.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Color Wow Dreaming Advanced Repair & Resurfacing Treatment Fried hair was revived once this reparative mask worked its magic.
    Jackie Fields, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Earlier this year, Peck took off his signature mask to play the Emcee.
    Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The counterprotesters stationed themselves on the first floor in the center of the City Hall rotunda while the police union marched in circles above them around the second-floor atrium outside the mayor's office, clad in black MPA T-shirts.
    Claudia Levens, jsonline.com, 5 Sep. 2025
  • For starters, hundreds of fans clad in Chiefs gear and bearing signs greeted them with various degrees of giddiness as the team passed through customs late Wednesday night.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • That messaging is camouflage, according to Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, a national network of Jewish groups.
    Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025
  • Before the explosion of survival games, Snake Eater featured systems for healing your wounds, eating food to regain stamina, and swapping outfits for camouflage.
    PC Magazine, PC Magazine, 26 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The authors propose a new model that places attire alongside the face, body, context and viewer traits, revealing that dress influences judgments of social identity, mental state, status and aesthetic taste.
    Cheryl Robinson, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The trio are decked out in Kansas City Chiefs attire in support of the star tight end's team.
    Sarah Jones, People.com, 4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • These mesh flats from Sam Edelman are adorned with rhinestones and have a small heel, so they can be paired with dressier outfits for evenings in a new city.
    Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2025
  • From Dakota Johnson and Jane Fonda to Brittany Snow and Anne Hathaway, each leading lady uniquely styled the timeless shoe, whether accompanied a dressy look or a low-key ensemble.
    Izzy Baskette, People.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This is the lesson that is as old as digital transformations themselves, now dressed in the garb of a new tech.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
  • Guides dress in period garb and spin sinister tales of spirits trapped between worlds.
    Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As good as the car looks, especially in its open-top Volante guise, the real story can be found underneath its hood.
    Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Now, palladium in a jar connected to nuclear fusion is being revived but in a different guise.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 29 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/costume. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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