Cool MateCostume vs Mask
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Costume
Top 2,000 (common)B1noun
Mask
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Most common: Mask
| Costume | Mask | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒstjuːm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːstuːm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/mɑːsk/"]/🇺🇸 /["/mæsk/"]/ |
| Meaning | An outfit worn for a particular occasion, often for parties or performances. | A cover for the face that hides it or protects it. |
| Example | She wore a vibrant costume for the Halloween party. | She wore a mask to the costume party to conceal her identity. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | full, colourful/colorful, elaborate, be dressed in, dress in, have on, design, designer, drama, in costume, full, colourful/colorful, elaborate, be dressed in, dress in, have on, design, designer, drama, in costume | face, facial, full-face, have on, wear, don, conceal something, cover something, hide something, behind a/the mask, beneath a/the mask, in a/the mask, face, facial, full-face, have on, wear, don, conceal something, cover something, hide something, behind a/the mask, beneath a/the mask, in a/the mask, blank, cold, emotionless, slip, behind a/the mask, mask for, a mask of indifference |
| Antonyms | nudity, plainness | reveal, unmask |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'custom', meaning a practice or habit., Using 'costume' for regular clothes instead of special outfits. | Confused with 'masking tape' - remember that 'mask' can refer to face coverings., Using 'masked' only in a figurative sense - it can also refer to physical coverings., Thinking 'mask' only refers to Halloween or costume masks - it also refers to medical masks. |
| Usage notes | Use 'costume' when referring to clothing for events like Halloween or theatrical performances. Avoid using it in formal contexts not related to dress or play. | Use 'mask' when talking about face coverings for protection or disguise. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts, but avoid it in discussions about personal identity unless referring to metaphorical masking. |
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Frequently asked questions: Costume vs Mask
What's the difference between Costume and Mask?
Costume: An outfit worn for a particular occasion, often for parties or performances. Mask: A cover for the face that hides it or protects it.
Which is more common: Costume and Mask?
Mask is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Costume and Mask?
Mask is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Costume and Mask the same CEFR level?
Costume: B1, Mask: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Costume and Mask?
Costume: noun, Mask: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Costume: She wore a vibrant costume for the Halloween party. Mask: She wore a mask to the costume party to conceal her identity.
Can I use Costume and Mask interchangeably?
Not always. Costume and Mask are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.