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
H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Since arriving on Savile Row, the sons have worked with several high-profile costume designers on pieces for forthcoming productions.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 7 Apr. 2025
That the four central characters don disguises, along with the revelers who have been required to come costumed, propels the plot, as well as adds a note of Shakespearean carnivalesque.
—Elizabeth Toohey, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025
Dave Quinn, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Angry Alan will feature scenic design by the dots collective, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Isabella Byrd, sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman, video design by Lucy MacKinnon, and properties by Addison Heeren.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
Hire a really good costume designer and a really good art department.
—H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
Since arriving on Savile Row, the sons have worked with several high-profile costume designers on pieces for forthcoming productions.
—Lee Sharrock, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
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
That the four central characters don disguises, along with the revelers who have been required to come costumed, propels the plot, as well as adds a note of Shakespearean carnivalesque.
—Elizabeth Toohey, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Angry Alan will feature scenic design by the dots collective, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Isabella Byrd, sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman, video design by Lucy Mackinnon and properties by Addison Heeren.
—Dave Quinn, People.com, 26 Mar. 2025
Angry Alan will feature scenic design by the dots collective, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Isabella Byrd, sound design by Mikaal Sulaiman, video design by Lucy MacKinnon, and properties by Addison Heeren.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 26 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 15 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
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