How to pronounce costume
Say it like KOS-toom. Costume has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOS).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce costume. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KOS
- toom
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Costume pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KOSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- toomKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of costume
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
British respelling: KOS-tyoom.
Other ways to say costume
Costume also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kah-STOOM /kɑˈstum/
What does costume mean?
- the attire worn in a play or at a fancy dress ball“he won the prize for best costume”
- unusual or period attire not characteristic of or appropriate to the time and place“in spite of the heat he insisted on his woolen costume”
- the prevalent fashion of dress (including accessories and hair style as well as garments)
- dress in a costume“We dressed up for Halloween as pumpkins”
- furnish with costumes; as for a film or play
Where does costume come from?
Verb circa 1802, perhaps modeled on French costumer.
Questions about saying costume
How do you pronounce costume?
Say KOS-toom. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑstum/. In British English it is /ˈkɒstjuːm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in costume?
Costume has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KOS). Broken into parts: KOS · toom.
Is costume pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒstjuːm/ (KOS-tyoom).