costume

Everyday

1. A costume is a set of special clothes worn to look like someone or something else: a pirate costume, a Halloween costume. tree →
2. A costume is the clothes worn by actors in a play or film. tree →
3. A costume is the clothes typical of a country or a time in history: national costume, Victorian costume. tree →
4. In the UK, Ireland and Australia, a (swimming) costume is a swimsuit (Australia also «cozzie»). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life: children wear costumes for Halloween, World Book Day (dressed as book characters), school plays and fancy-dress parties. In history lessons, pupils look at costumes from Victorian, Roman or Tudor times. Safety: Halloween costumes should let you see well and be seen in the dark (reflective tape, a torch) and be fire-safe — keep away from candles; masks can block vision. Phrases: dress up in a costume, fancy-dress costume, costume party, national costume, swimming costume.

Examples

• I'm going as a dragon in my Halloween costume. tree →
• On World Book Day, I dressed as the Gruffalo. tree →
• The actors changed costumes between scenes. tree →
• Don't forget your swimming costume for the lesson. tree →
• In Scotland, a kilt is part of the national costume. tree →
• We looked at Victorian costumes at the museum. tree →
• Make sure your mask lets you see the road. tree →
• "But one of the Princes wears just the same costume." tree →

Note

Countable: costumes. Do not confuse with «custom» (a tradition or habit) or «customer». In American English, «swimsuit» or «bathing suit»; in British English also «swimming costume». A costume is worn for fun or a part, not as everyday clothing.