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
Synonyms
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
Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Moo Deng has even become a popular Halloween costume this year, and starred on Saturday Night Live, when actor Bowen Yang featured her on the show's Weekend Update in October, discussing her perspective of newfound fame.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
It’s believed people put out treats to appease these wandering spirits and masked and costumed themselves to confuse any evil Earth wanderers.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
There were also about 400 costume donations for people to choose from.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume 
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Noun
In other photos, Khai was snapped climbing a tree, as well as walking outdoors in a skeleton costume and vibrant red and purple fleece for Halloween.
—Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 5 Nov. 2024
Moo Deng has even become a popular Halloween costume this year, and starred on Saturday Night Live, when actor Bowen Yang featured her on the show's Weekend Update in October, discussing her perspective of newfound fame.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Verb
Big Brother can stuff those elf costumes into storage for the foreseeable future.
—Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024
It’s believed people put out treats to appease these wandering spirits and masked and costumed themselves to confuse any evil Earth wanderers.
—Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Sydney. Brendon Thorne/Getty Images
Bode Aujla, a downtown darling, fashioned Ariana Grande a Glinda in her hip, kitschy image without veering into costume territory.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 5 Nov. 2024
There were also about 400 costume donations for people to choose from.
—Chantelle Lee, TIME, 29 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for costume
Dictionary Entries Near costume
Cite this Entry
“Costume.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/costume. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
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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