What does "costume" mean?

1. (theatre or film) the clothes worn by an actor in a play or movie to look like a character. 2. (fancy dress or disguise) clothes you wear to a party to look like someone or something else, like a superhero or a ghost. 3. (traditional or historical dress) the traditional clothes of a particular country or time in history. 4. (swimming) a piece of clothing you wear for swimming. 5. (to provide with clothes) to provide an actor or a person with a specific set of clothes.

How do you use "costume"?

Often used as a collective noun in professional theatre contexts. Usually used in the context of professional film or theatrical production.

costume

n. · v.

US //ˈkɑstum// UK //kˈɒstjuːm// cos·tume

1 theatre or film (n.)
B1 Intermediate Theatre

the clothes worn by an actor in a play or movie to look like a character.

the specific attire worn by a performer to represent a character or historical period.

Example

The actors spent two hours in the dressing room putting on their Victorian costumes.

Example

The production was praised for its authentic period costumes, which were meticulously researched to reflect the social hierarchy of eighteenth-century France.

Usage

Often used as a collective noun in professional theatre contexts.
2 fancy dress or disguise (n.)
B1 Intermediate

clothes you wear to a party to look like someone or something else, like a superhero or a ghost.

an outfit worn to create an appearance of a different identity, typically for social events or holidays.

Example

He won first prize at the Halloween party for his clever robot costume.

Example

The children arrived at the carnival in elaborate costumes ranging from mythical creatures to modern pop-culture icons.
- disguise
- fancy dress

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3 traditional or historical dress (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the traditional clothes of a particular country or time in history.

the distinctive style of dress characteristic of a particular nation, ethnicity, or historical era.

Example

The dancers wore traditional folk costumes during the national holiday parade.

Example

The museum's permanent collection includes several rare examples of regional costumes from the mountainous provinces of northern Italy.
- garb
- dress
4 swimming (n.)
B1 Intermediate British English

a piece of clothing you wear for swimming.

a garment designed for swimming; a shortened form of 'swimming costume'.

Example

Don't forget to pack your costume and a towel for the beach.

Example

She realized she had left her swimming costume in the locker room after the training session had already concluded.

Teacher's tip

In American English, 'swimsuit' or 'bathing suit' is much more common than 'costume'.
- swimsuit
- bathers
5 to provide with clothes (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal Theatre

to provide an actor or a person with a specific set of clothes.

to design or provide costumes for a performer or a production.

Example

The studio hired a famous designer to costume the entire cast of the new movie.

Example

The challenge for the creative team was to costume the ensemble in a way that felt modern yet respected the original source material.

Usage

Usually used in the context of professional film or theatrical production.

Origin

Borrowed from French costume, from Italian costume, from Latin consuētūdō (“custom, habit”). Doublet of consuetude, custom, and kastom. Verb circa 1802, perhaps modelled on French costumer.