costume

costume — noun

1. garments that are traditionally associated with a specific nation, historical er

1.nounB1
Definition

garments that are traditionally associated with a specific nation, historical era, or social rank

Example

At the festival, Aoi wore a colourful costume from her grandmother's village in Japan.

traditional costume + country name for cultural dress

The museum displayed the elegant costumes that wealthy women wore during the 1700s.

historical period + social class reference

Common collocations
  • traditional costume
  • national costume
  • period costume
  • historical costume
  • protective costume
  • in full costume
Synonyms
  • attire

    more formal; refers to any clothing, not specifically traditional

  • garb

    more literary; often suggests distinctive or unusual clothing

  • dress

    broader; can mean any clothing or a garment style

Grammar Patterns

the costume(s) + of + [country/period/class]

in + [adjective] + costume

Usage Note

Distinguish from noun sense 2 (THEATRICAL OUTFIT): this sense refers to authentic cultural, historical, or occupational clothing, not clothing made to imitate a character for entertainment.

Common Mistakes

She wore a traditional Japanese costume to the party as a joke.
She wore a traditional Japanese outfit to the party.
'Costume' in sense 2 implies a playful imitation; authentic cultural clothing should not be called a 'costume' unless the context is a costume event.

2. special clothing that actors put on for a performance, or that someone wears to

2.nounB1
Definition

special clothing that actors put on for a performance, or that someone wears to a party or celebration to look like a different person, creature, or thing

Example

Nellie spent three weeks sewing a dragon costume for the school play.

actor's costume for a performance

Yuki arrived at the Halloween party wearing a giant inflatable banana costume.

party costume for fun events

Common collocations
  • Halloween costume
  • fancy-dress costume
  • stage costume
  • film costume
  • costume party
  • costume contest
Synonyms
  • outfit

    more general; can refer to any coordinated set of clothes

  • getup

    informal; often suggests an unusual or striking costume

  • disguise

    focuses on hiding one's identity rather than creating a character

Grammar Patterns

costume + for + [event/role]

in + [character] + costume

Usage Note

Common in compound nouns: 'costume party', 'costume designer', 'costume drama', 'costume shop'. This sense always involves clothing designed to create an illusion for performance or entertainment, not everyday cultural dress.

Common Mistakes

I need a costume for my job interview.
I need professional clothing for my job interview.
'Costume' implies a special outfit to look like someone/something else; everyday formal wear is not a costume.

costume — verb

costume — adjective

Word family

  • costumer
    nounC1
  • costumier
    nounC2
  • costuming
    nounC1
  • costumed
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words can describe clothing for a special occasion, but they differ in register and focus. 'Outfit' is the most neutral and general — anyone planning a Halloween look might call it an 'outfit'. 'Getup' is informal and often playful or slightly teasing: 'That's quite a getup!' suggests something striking or unusual. 'Attire' sits at the formal end of the scale, typically used for formal events ('evening attire') rather than costume parties. 'Disguise' shifts the emphasis from appearance to concealment — its purpose is to hide who you are, not simply to dress as someone else. For example, a superhero costume at a party is an outfit or costume; a wig and sunglasses worn to avoid recognition is a disguise.

outfitgetupattiredisguise ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • costume designer
  • costume department
  • costume party
  • costume ball
  • costume drama
  • costume shop
  • costume contest
  • costume museum
  • costume exhibition

Adverbs

  • beautifully costumed
  • elaborately costumed
  • traditionally costumed
  • fully costumed

Phrases

  • in full costume
  • costume change
  • costume fitting
  • costume jewellery
  • traditional costume
  • period costume

Prepositions

  • in costume
  • costume for [event/role]
  • costume as [character]
  • costume of [period]

Etymology

LatinItalianFrenchEnglish

The word 'costume' entered English from French in the 1700s, originally meaning 'custom' or 'fashion'. The French word came from Italian 'costume' meaning 'custom, habit, fashion', which traces back to Latin 'consuetudo' meaning 'custom, habit, usage'. Over time, the meaning narrowed from 'the prevailing fashion of dress' (as in 'costume of the period') to 'a set of clothes for a particular purpose', and later to 'special clothing for performances or parties'.