Costume vs Suits are cool

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Costume

Top 2,000 (common)B1noun

Suits are cool

Top 2,000 (common)
 CostumeSuits are cool
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒstjuːm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːstuːm/"]/🇬🇧 //suːts ɑːr kuːl//🇺🇸 //suːts ɑr kul//
MeaningAn outfit worn for a particular occasion, often for parties or performances.Suits are stylish clothes for men or women.
ExampleShe wore a vibrant costume for the Halloween party.Many people believe that suits are cool for business meetings.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechnoun
Collocationsfull, 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 costumewear a suit, tailored suits, formal suits, expensive suits, casual suits
Antonymsnudity, plainness-
Common mistakesConfused with 'custom', meaning a practice or habit., Using 'costume' for regular clothes instead of special outfits.Using 'suit' as a verb instead of a noun., Confusing 'suits' with 'sweets' in pronunciation., Assuming 'cool' only means temperature; it also means stylish.
Usage notesUse 'costume' when referring to clothing for events like Halloween or theatrical performances. Avoid using it in formal contexts not related to dress or play.Commonly used to express that attire is fashionable. Appropriate in both casual conversations and more formal contexts.

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Suits are cool

Frequently asked questions: Costume vs Suits are cool

What's the difference between Costume and Suits are cool?

Costume: An outfit worn for a particular occasion, often for parties or performances. Suits are cool: Suits are stylish clothes for men or women.

Can you show an example of each?

Costume: She wore a vibrant costume for the Halloween party. Suits are cool: Many people believe that suits are cool for business meetings.

Can I use Costume and Suits are cool interchangeably?

Not always. Costume and Suits are cool 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.

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