French Conversation · Level 52
75 words
French word
costume
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔstym/
Meaning
- masculine nounsuit
Example
Il porte un costume sombre pour l'entretien.
He is wearing a dark suit for the interview.
More examples
Pour la photo de classe, Ken porte un costume bleu.
For the class photo, Ken is wearing a blue suit.
Il aime porter un costume élégant aux mariages.
He likes wearing an elegant suit at weddings.
Core concept
A coordinated set of clothes gives its wearer a neat appearance suited to an important occasion.
Common phrases
porter un costume
wear a suit
Similar words
vêtement: Any garment or material used to cover the body.
tenue: A complete outfit suited to a particular setting or activity.
déguisement: Clothing used as a disguise to look like another person or creature.
ensemble: A matching outfit made from several coordinated garments.
Definition in French
Ensemble coordonné de vêtements porté comme tenue soignée pour un travail, une cérémonie ou une occasion formelle.
Word origin
French costume was borrowed from Italian costume, which derives from Latin consuetudo, meaning habit or custom, and came to denote customary dress.
Usage tips
- For ordinary clothing, tenue or vêtement is often more suitable, while a disguise is usually called un déguisement and a stage outfit un costume de scène.
Other meanings
- costumenoun
- disguisenoun
Related words
- costumiercostume designernoun
- costuméin costumeadjective