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
Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Born with dwarfism on Aug. 23, 1963 in Plainwell, Michigan, Edward Gale made his debut wearing the costume as the titular Marvel character in Howard the Duck (1986), which was voiced by Chip Zien.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Merry Tunes: Learn the story behind the new songs with EGOT-winning songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Fairy Tale Fashion: Receive an in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film from legendary costume designer Sandy Powell.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Fawnia Soo Hoo, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
Saturday Church will feature scenic design by David Zinn (Stereophonic), costume design by Qween Jean (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), lighting design by Adam Honoré (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Hell’s Kitchen).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for costume
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Noun
His journey from Bollywood costume designer to global fashion icon represents the arrival of Indian fashion as an undeniable force on the world stage.
—Pooja Shah, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Born with dwarfism on Aug. 23, 1963 in Plainwell, Michigan, Edward Gale made his debut wearing the costume as the titular Marvel character in Howard the Duck (1986), which was voiced by Chip Zien.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 28 May 2025
Verb
Bread crumbs • Props to the hair, makeup, and costuming departments for differentiating Kiki’s Simone from pre-Michaela Simone, who showed up to the island with a scraggly ponytail, a gray button-down, uneven skin, and scrawled tattoos.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Merry Tunes: Learn the story behind the new songs with EGOT-winning songwriting duo, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Fairy Tale Fashion: Receive an in-depth look at the fashion and costuming for the film from legendary costume designer Sandy Powell.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Adjective
Each week, the costume designers of Elsbeth, High Potential, Matlock and Poker Face drop scintillating wardrobe clues to help create compelling, one-of-a-kind protagonists and intriguing mysteries that have viewers flocking back to network (or network-adjacent) television.
—Fawnia Soo Hoo, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025
Saturday Church will feature scenic design by David Zinn (Stereophonic), costume design by Qween Jean (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), lighting design by Adam Honoré (Cats: The Jellicle Ball), and sound design by Gareth Owen (Hell’s Kitchen).
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 7 May 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 3 Jun. 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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