Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| costume | /kɔs.tym/ | masculine |
| complet | /kɔ̃.plɛ/ | masculine |
| tailleur | /ta.jœʁ/ /tɑ.jœʁ/ |
masculine |
| ensemble | /ɑ̃.sɑ̃bl/ | masculine |
| tenue | /tə.ny/ | feminine |
When referring to a set of clothes, several terms can be used depending on the specific type of clothing. costume, complet and ensemble are masculine nouns used for matching sets, while tenue is a feminine noun that refers more broadly to a person's general outfit or attire.
Which one should you use?
While costume is the standard term for a business suit, it is specifically used for a matched set of garments. Use tailleur specifically when referring to a woman's suit, which typically consists of a jacket and either a skirt or trousers. If you are describing a general outfit rather than a specific matching set, use the word tenue. The word ensemble also refers to a suit or a matching set of clothes.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
costume, complet, tailleur and ensemble are all masculine nouns. tenue is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/kɔs.tym/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using costume to mean a theatrical or masquerade costume. In those cases, you should use déguisement instead.
Did you know?
- A tailleur typically refers to a woman's suit, but historically it referred to the male tailor who crafted the garment.
- The word costume is a linguistic relative of the English word 'custom'. Both originate from the Latin word cōnsuētūdinem, referring to a habit or a social custom.
- In French, tenue is a broad term for attire, but it is also used in the phrase tenue correcte exigée, which is a common sign in restaurants meaning 'smart dress required'.
Examples in context
- Il a mis un costume.He donned a business suit.This sentence is useful for seeing how to say someone put on a costume.Tatoeba #10081612 by lbdx, translation #6907660 by swolesuki
- Mon costume est gris.My suit is gray.This sentence is useful for describing the color of a costume.Tatoeba #6365678 by Aiji, translation #456473 by lukaszpp
- Ce costume te va bien.You look good in that suit.This sentence is useful for saying someone looks good in a costume.Tatoeba #3466754 by Lulantis, translation #3466169 by Hybrid
- Il porte un costume très élégant.He is wearing a very elegant suit.
- J'adore ton nouvel ensemble.I love your new suit.
- J'aime beaucoup ton nouvel ensemble.I really like your new suit.
- Un costume élégantAn elegant suit
- Un bel ensembleA beautiful suit
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo is preparing for a wedding and asks Léa for advice.
- HugoEst-ce que ce costume est trop formel ?Is this suit too formal?
- LéaNon, ton costume est parfait pour l'occasion.No, your suit is perfect for the occasion.
- HugoTu penses que je devrais porter une cravate ?Do you think I should wear a tie?
- LéaOui, cela complètera bien ton costume.Yes, it will complete your suit well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “suit” translations and entries costume, complet, tailleur, ensemble, tenue, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries complet, costume, ensemble, tailleur, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
