What does costume mean?
A costume is a distinctive outfit of clothing worn either to represent a character, period, or occupation — most notably in theatre, film, and dance — or to mark a festive occasion such as a masquerade or Halloween party. The word also denotes the traditional style of dress characteristic of a nation, region, or historical era, as in 'national costume' or 'Elizabethan costume'. Derived through Italian and French from the Latin consuetudo ('habit' or 'custom'), costume shares its origin with the word 'custom', reflecting the idea that what one wears expresses established practice. In everyday speech, the word often suggests playfulness, disguise, or performance rather than ordinary clothing, and in American usage it is closely associated with Halloween attire. For designers and historians, however, it remains a precise term for clothing as an expression of identity, culture, and storytelling.
nounA set of clothes worn to represent a particular character, period, profession, or country, especially in a play or film or at a festive occasion; also the characteristic style of dress of a people, place, or historical period.
- A set of clothes worn by an actor or performer to portray a character, or worn at parties, festivals, and masquerades.
- The distinctive style of dress typical of a country, historical period, or group of people.
"The actors spent an hour fitting into their elaborate Elizabethan costumes."
"She won first prize for her Cleopatra costume at the Halloween party."
"The museum's exhibit traces the evolution of Japanese traditional costume across three centuries."
Regular plural; used when referring to multiple outfits, whether for several performers, occasions, or styles.
"All the costumes for the ballet were designed by a single atelier."
Costume and 'custom' are twins: both come from Latin consuetudo, meaning habit — your costume is literally the clothing that has become customary for a character.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of costume
Costume entered English in the early 18th century from French, which had borrowed it from Italian costume, meaning both 'dress' and 'custom'. The Italian word derives ultimately from Latin consuetudo ('habit, usage, custom'), formed from consuescere ('to become accustomed'). This makes costume a close relative of English words such as custom, accustom, and customary, all tracing back to the same Latin root.
How costume is actually used
In everyday use, 'costume' often carries a playful or theatrical connotation, as in fancy-dress parties. In academic contexts such as theatre studies and fashion history, it is a neutral technical term. In American English, 'costume' frequently refers specifically to a Halloween outfit; in British English, 'fancy dress' is the more common term for such outfits, while 'costume' retains broader theatrical and historical uses.
Easily confused with costume
A custom is a traditional practice or habit, whereas a costume is a set of clothes worn for a role or occasion; the words look and sound alike because they share a Latin root.