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costume

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The definition of costume means a style of dress characteristic of a certain period or country or profession, or clothes worn for an event or a play or for a party with a theme.

(noun)

An example of a costume is clothing from the colonial period.
An example of a costume is a vampire suit for Halloween.

Costume is defined as to dress up or to provide with clothing.

(verb)

An example of costume is to dress a child as Frankenstein for Halloween.

See costume in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

1. the style of dress, including accessories, typical of a certain country, period, profession, etc.
2. a set of clothes in such a style, as worn in a play or at a masquerade
a set of outer clothes for some purpose or occasion, esp. one worn by a woman

Origin: 18th-c. art term < Fr < It < L consuetudo, custom

transitive verb costumed, costuming

to provide with a costume; put a costume on; dress

Related Forms:

costumery noun

See costume in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A style of dress, including garments, accessories, and hairstyle, especially as characteristic of a particular country, period, or people.
An outfit or a disguise worn on Mardi Gras, Halloween, or similar occasions.
A set of clothes appropriate for a particular occasion or season.

transitive verb (kŏ-sto͞omˈ, -styo͞omˈ, kŏsˈto͞omˌ, -tyo͞omˌ) cos·tumed, cos·tum·ing, cos·tumes