a main costume

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main costume" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the primary or most important costume in a particular context, such as a performance, event, or themed gathering. Example: "For the upcoming play, the actor will wear a main costume that represents the character's personality and status."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A main costume theme was work clothes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Jamie Lee Nudie, a granddaughter of Rogers's and Evans's main costume designer, Nudie Cohn, spent $3,000 at Christie's on a cedar-lined wardrobe trailer that her grandfather built, and she plans to bring it out for parades and exhibitions near her home in Southern California.

The New York Times - Arts

The main costume this year is going to be Donald Trump.

The Guardian - Music

Mileena's main costume in Deception and Armageddon is actually mostly black and features long flowing arm sleeves, a back-only loincloth and a partially transparent veil.

Wikipedia

The main costumes and hats were manufactured at Cosprop, a London-based costumer company.

Wikipedia

Costume designer Arianne Phillips designed the main costumes for the tour.

Wikipedia

During the 12th century, when the performances moved outside the church, priestly vestments were still the main costumes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The headpieces and the main costumes were made at the same time by the two different departments, with Wood and Westmore working together at times to ensure that they matched.

Wikipedia

"Dressing up is a way of creating an alter ego and a second skin... Regardless of the motivating factors that cause someone to acquire a costume, the main principle remains the same: the civilian steps behind the mask and turns into somebody else".

Huffington Post

These included broad categories of usage such as "a weapon" or "a costume".

BioMed Research International

Following a costume change, Spears reappeared on a mini platform where she descended to the main stage on a pole.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a main costume" when you want to specify the most important or prominent outfit in a set, such as in a play, movie, or themed event.

Common error

Avoid using "a main costume" when simply referring to a costume. Ensure that the context clearly indicates why this costume is considered primary or central.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main costume" functions as a noun phrase, where "main" acts as an adjective modifying "costume". It identifies the primary or most important costume within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, though examples are somewhat limited.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main costume" is a grammatically sound phrase used to identify the most important outfit in a particular context. While Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as correct, its usage is relatively infrequent and primarily found in news, media, and wiki sources. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "primary costume" or "principal costume". When using this phrase, make sure that it's clear why that specific costume is the "main" one in relation to the others, and its use will be appropriate and add value to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary costume

Replaces "main" with "primary", emphasizing the outfit's importance.

a principal costume

Uses "principal" instead of "main", suggesting the most important costume.

a key costume

Substitutes "main" with "key", highlighting the costume's significance to the character or performance.

the central costume

Replaces "a main" with "the central", indicating the costume is a focal point.

a signature costume

Suggests the costume is uniquely associated with a character or event.

a leading costume

Emphasizes the prominence of the costume in a performance or presentation.

the most important costume

Directly states the costume's importance, replacing "main" with "most important".

a significant costume

Highlights the costume's importance and impact.

a notable costume

Suggests the costume is worth paying attention to or remembering.

the defining costume

Implies the costume is essential in understanding a character or performance.

FAQs

How can I use "a main costume" in a sentence?

You might say, "The play's success hinged on the impact of "a main costume", which reflected the protagonist's inner turmoil".

What's a good alternative to "a main costume"?

Consider using phrases like "a primary costume", "a key costume", or "the central costume", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a main costume"?

The phrase is generally correct, but it's best to use it when you need to highlight the importance of a particular costume over others in a set. If there is only one costume, it is better to say "the costume" instead of "a main costume".

What is the difference between "a main costume" and "a signature costume"?

A main costume refers to the primary or most important outfit, while "a signature costume" is one that is particularly associated with a character or brand.